Portland Shakespeare Project Kicks Off Inaugural Season With As You Like It

Portland Shakespeare Project kicks off its inaugural season with As You Like It, William Shakespeare's comedy about romance in the Forest of Arden starting July 13 and running Thursday through Sunday until August 7.

Take a stroll in the Forest of Arden with some of Shakespeare's most memorable characters in his dearly loved comedy As You Like It. In these dappled woods, reality shifts, confronts pretense and allows human yearning to find its true course. Set in France to Mary Kadderly's wistfully haunting original music, this romantic comedy peels away the layers of societal constraints to reveal each character's authentic self.

As You Like It is a comedy that turns on a dime to a visceral, erotic excursion into the shadow side of ourselves," said director Michael Mendelson. Mendelson is Portland Shakespeare Project's Artistic Director, co-founder and an instructor.

As You Like It features Darius Pierce as Touchstone, Cristi Miles as Rosalind, Melisa Whitney as Celia, Jill Westerby as Jacques, Andy Lee-Hillstrom as Silvius, Dana Millican as Phoebe, Dave Bodin as Corin, Jake Street as Orlando, Tony St. Clair as Oliver, Tom Walton as Jaques De Boys and Charles, and Rhianna Walton as Audrey. Original music for As You Like It is composed by Portland's noted singer and songwriter Mary Kadderly and played by accordionist KJ McElrath.

Intimate and informative talk-back discussions will follow all of the Thursday night and Sunday matinee performances. Louis Fantasia, Director of Shakespeare at the Huntington, will be conducting a very special pre-show and post-show discussion for the show on Saturday, July 16. These talk-backs will provide opportunity to discuss the production, ask questions and learn more about the show.

As You Like It
Written by: William Shakespeare

Directed by: Michael Mendelson

Original Music: Composed by Mary Kadderly www.marykadderly.com and played by KJ
McElrath

Featuring: Darius Pierce, Cristi Miles, Melissa Whitney, Andy Lee-Hillstrom,
Dave Bodin, Jill Westerby, Jake Street, Tony St. Clair, Dana Millican,
Rhianna Walton, Tom Walton, David Heath, Curt Hanson, Pierre
Brulatour, Adam Thompson, Kate Mura, Thomas Slater, Nathan Crosby,
Lissie Huff, Matthew Sa.
Cast list with roles: http://portlandshakes.org/mission/cast/

Performance Dates: July 13 - Aug 7
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 7:30pm; Sunday at 2:00pm
Opening Night is Friday, July 15
Preview performances are July 13 & 14

Venue: Artists Repertory Theatre, Morrison Stage
1515 SW Morrison St, Portland, Oregon 97205

Tickets: Ticket prices start at $24 for adults; Student tickets $15
503.313.3048 or https://www.ticketturtle.com/index.php?ticketing=psp