Claire Kelly to Helm Shakespeare on the Sound's AS YOU LIKE IT

Claire Kelly of New Canaan is directing the Shakespeare on the Sound's upcoming production of "As You Like It" as modern theater in a pastoral setting blending The Bard's the classic comic opus with the greenery and natural amphitheater of Pinkney Park in Rowayton.

The audience gathers picnic-style on blankets and deck chairs with baskets of goodies for a festive evening of Shakespeare's luminous virtuosity and revelations of the human soul.

"As You Like It" runs June 13-30, the 18^th alfresco season in the park of donation-funded theater--there is no charge for admission; in lieu a donation is suggested ($20 for adults, $10 for seniors and students).

Additional information is available at www.shakespeareonthesound.org.

Kelly is transitioning to the direction of the play from oversight of the theater's youth activities. Her background covers an expansive list of material accomplishments as a

performer, director and producer at New York's Roundabout Theatre, Guthrie Theater of Minneapolis and Ordway Music Theater of St. Paul, Shakespeare Theatre in Madison, NJ and George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, NJ.

She describes "As You Like It" as a liberating story about transformation, a world

where people redefine themselves and freedom of choice exists, illuminating the light and dark side of human nature.

"We're mounting a production for the entire family," she says. "The environment will invite the audience members to feel they are participating in the presentation."

Auditions are under way to assemble a cast of 14 with the singing and instrumental talent to perform five original compositions created by Brian Feinstein as a musical

book of acoustic art for Shakespeare's infinitely enduring rich lyrics.

And oh yes. What might be the most popularly cited example of Shakespeare's incomparable oeuvre of metaphoric brilliance appears in "As You Like It," a passage delivered by a character called Jacques: "All the world's a stage, all the men and women merely players."

Meanwhile, to ensure the theater's long-term sustainability as an authentic Connecticut cultural resource offering free artistic entertainment-- in an environment where diminished funding is commonly problematic for the nonprofit arts nationally--the run of the play this forthcoming season is being confined to Pinkney Park on the banks of the Five Mile River off Long Island Sound in Rowayton, the birthplace of Shakespeare on the Sound.

The intention is to resume playing in 2014 in Greenwich where productions ran concurrent with Rowayton between 2012 and 2007.