We Are Arden
[The cast of Folger Theatre’s production of As You Like It, by William Shakespeare, envisioned by Karen Ann Daniels and directed by Timothy Douglas. Photography by Brittany Diliberto.]
A review of As You Like It at the Folger Theatre
By Tom Navratil
Do you need a break, but not too much of a break, from our political madness?
The Folger Theatre, enacting the vision of Artistic Director Karen Ann Daniels, presents Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy As You Like It as a subtle parable for the multifaceted realities of life in Washington, D.C. The creative team is positing that vibrant cultural and community life has long flourished here, apart from, and often overshadowed by, the focus on federal government matters, and that we should appreciate and celebrate the qualities of this realm. Without being blatant, the production weaves in the notion that we can, and do, benefit sumptuously from these wellsprings of local identity. The show runs through April 12.
Away from the locus of power and politics, i.e., the court of the nobility, the action primarily takes place in a wild greenwood called the Forest of Arden, where the characters swirl in pursuit of ardent love. Yet there are undertones and reminders about the reach of the court. Your time in Arden is an interlude, albeit a delightful one.
Envy and greed from power-hungry relatives have driven the principal characters into exile in the woods, where rustic hardships, but also passionate romance, abound. Four different potential couples are seeking to pair up. Complications ensue. The tidy ending won’t surprise anyone, but the journey is laden with pleasure.
Director Timothy Douglas has brought forth a splendidly sharp-witted, joyful, and highly entertaining rendition of As You Like It. The performance sparkles with energy, especially during the songs, many of which are in the original text. Others are simply original. Thank you composer KOKAYI and sound designer and lyricist Miki Vale!
So much of the success of this play depends on the part of Rosalind, one of the most renowned of Shakespeare’s female characters. She is the central figure, the wise and witty orchestrator of her own romance, and the romance of others. Tsilala Brock brings out the many facets of the role with diamond-like brilliance. Above all, she is convincing in rather farfetched circumstances. And she is wickedly funny. Brock has an impressive list of credits, but this is her Folger debut. I hope she will return for future productions.
[Manu Kumasi (Orlando), Tsilala Brock (Rosalind), Sabrina Lynne Sawyer (Celia), and Terrance Fleming (Ollie) in Folger Theatre’s production of As You Like It, by William Shakespeare, envisioned by Karen Ann Daniels, and directed by Timothy Douglas. Photography by Brittany Diliberto.]
The cast is superb all around, so it is a bit unfair to single anyone out. But the engaging and hilarious Ahmad Kamal especially excels as the fool Touchstone. His expressions and physical comedy light up the theater. This is also his Folger debut, which speaks well of the theater’s dynamism.
The collaboration between Ms. Daniels and Mr. Douglas hews to the text for the most part, but they do take playful liberties. A few scenes and small roles are cut or consolidated. Sometimes even Shakespeare’s forest needs a little pruning. Their choices are judicious. More pointedly, the Folger storytellers play with expectations by switching certain male roles into female ones, including the fearsome wrestler Charles. In the Bard’s day, all roles were performed by males, so turnabout is fair play. Inasmuch as Shakespeare featured gender disguises in many of his works, this production is in effect pulling a Shakespeare on Shakespeare. Cheeky.
As You Like It provides its fair share of greatest hits, Shakespearean phrases or scenes that have embedded themselves in our literary and linguistic culture. Most prominently:
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
“Sell when you can, you are not for all markets.”
“More villain thou.”
For the most part, these highlight-reel moments aren’t hammed-up or given undue emphasis; they are part of the comic flow. This production is plenty effervescent, though. The layering of Shakespeare’s rich language with the hijinks of the plot and the lively and occasionally bawdy gestures of the actors keeps the play’s comedic essence foremost. In other words, it’s great antic fun.
[The cast of Folger Theatre’s production of As You Like It, by William Shakespeare, envisioned by Karen Ann Daniels and directed by Timothy Douglas. Photography by Brittany Diliberto.]
The costumes, designed by Celeste Jennings, scenery, designed by Gisela Estrada, and props, designed by Pauline Lamb, have an exuberant, contemporary flair. Occasional sly jabs at our politics and other present-day challenges get sprinkled lightly through the performance. The overall effect is that this classic is also new; it is ours too.
The cozy confines of the Folger’s Elizabethan-style theater enhance the experience. Performers use the central aisle for entrances and exits, pop up in the balconies, and otherwise occasionally break the fourth wall with direct speech or just a well-aimed leer or smirk. In these ways, the actors acknowledge their awareness of being watched, and convey that we are in this together. The entire audience is close and feels like part of the performance. The lighting, designed by Minjoo Kim, fosters the feeling of inclusiveness. At times, with laughter rolling and when the players are soliciting audience interaction, such as when Manu Kumasi, playing Orlando, asks for input for his poems to Rosalind, this show can feel akin to being at a comedy club. During the songs, we are urged to clap the beat and join in singing the chorus. The intimate and welcoming ambience promotes the feeling that we are together on a romantic excursion in the wondrous Forest of Arden.
With spring in the air, along with perhaps a few sprigs of hope, what better course than to take in one of Shakespeare's classic comedies at the Folger? Whether you’re a lover, a literary aficionado, or someone who lusts for laughter, this production of As You Like It lets D.C. become your Arden for an evening. Frolic freely, friends.
As You Like It runs through April 12 at the Folger Theatre, 201 E. Capitol Street, SE, Washington, D.C. Tickets, starting at $20, are available online or by calling the box office at (202) 544-7077. Run time is about two hours and fifteen minutes, plus a fifteen minute intermission, with refreshments for sale in the on-site cafe.
Tom Navratil is the author of Dog’s Breakfast, a comedy of international intrigue (and a very thoughtful April Fools’ Day gift). Read Norah’s interview with Tom, covering his novel, his past career in the U.S. foreign service, and many things in between.
