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Regional Reviews: Washington, D.C. As You Like It Also see Susan's review of Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet
In this version, the duke's court is in the federal part of D.C.: a large banner depicting the U.S. Capitol dominates Gisela Estrada's scenic design early in the play. Duke Frederick (Jefferson A. Russell) has usurped the throne from his brother Duke Senior (also Russell), who has taken shelter with his supporters in the District's "forest" of graffitied walls and public murals. Rosalind (Tsilala Brock), daughter of the ousted duke, flees the court with her cousin and best friend, Celia (Sabrina Lynne Sawyer), to escape tyranny and find freedom. Since this is a Shakespearean comedy, disguise and mistaken identities motivate much of the plot. Tall Rosalind falls in love at first sight with Orlando (Manu Kumasi), similarly disowned by his older brother Ollie (Terrance Fleming). When they meet again in Arden–for reasons of safety, she has taken on the clothes and persona of a man–she engages him in some mind games while he writes poems to the woman he thinks he left at court. The interplay between Rosalind and Orlando is charming, as is the tenderness between Rosalind and her father. Music plays a major role in this production, using both lyrics taken from the text and an original scene-setting song, "We Are Arden," with lyrics by Miki Vale. Composer KOKAYI borrows from a variety of musical genres to expand the parameters of the story, with strong support from Ahmad Kamal as the affable jester (and singer), Touchstone. Celeste Jennings has designed extravagant costumes for both worlds: the formality of the court compared with no-rules Arden. For example, Duke Frederick dresses in military style while his identical twin Duke Senior relaxes in a dashiki and wide-legged patchwork pants. The production is inclusive in the way it reinterprets some male characters as female. Nikkole Salter shines as both the blustering wrestler Charles and philosophical Jaques, who delivers the "Seven Ages of Man" speech. Raven Lorraine is totally winning both as shepherd Corin and as Phebe, who spurns faithful Silvius (goofy Joey Collins) to pursue someone totally inappropriate. The staging also benefits from the lack of a fourth wall that would divide the audience from the performers. Many of the actors enter and exit through the center aisle and engage in moments of improv with audience members, all in the service of the play. As You Like It runs through April 19, 2026, the Folger Shakespeare Library, Elizabethan Theatre, 201 E. Capitol St. SE, Washington DC. For tickets and information, please call 202-544-7077 or visit www.folger.edu. By William Shakespeare Cast: |
