Next Stage Ensemble Performs Shakespeare Classic at VFW

The Next Stage Ensemble, part of the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, performed William Shakespeare's comedy As You Like It at the VFW Post 355 yesterday beginning at 7:30 p.m. Directed by Abigail Isaac, the performance is sponsored by the Friends of the Cranford Library.

As You Like It is one of Shakespeare's most well-known comedies. The "melancholy Jacques" delivers a famous monologue that begins with the often quoted lines, "All the world's a stage/ And all the men and women merely players" in Act II, Scene 7.

Like Twelfth Night and other Shakespearean comedies, it is a gender-bending tale of mistaken identities. Yet it is also a comedy, in which everyone gets married and has a merry old time at the end.

Cranford Public Library Director John Malar added that past Next Stage Ensemble performances have included a number of families in the audience.

"It's an easy and inexpensive way to introduce children to Shakespeare," he said.

The Next Stage Ensemble has been performing since 1992, according to Shakespeare Theatre education director Corinne May Farkas. The Shakespeare Theatre created it as a way to train young actors and actresses, build their portfolios and give them stage time.

All 12 actors with the Next Stage Ensemble have undergraduate degrees while some are pursuing their master degrees; and most are in their early 20s. This year's crop hails from places such as Washington, D.C., Alabama, Illinois, and of course, New Jersey.

One of the more famous alumni is Rhys Coiro, of HBO's hit series Entourage. The actors will perform about 50 shows throughout New Jersey during the 11-week program. This year, the troupe will alternate between As You Like It and The Rover.

"They're young actors and actresses, but they're pros," said Malar. "It gives them a chance to practice their skills, but at the same time we know we're getting a good acting troupe."

Like almost all programs the Friends of the Library sponsor, Wednesday night's performance is free. This is the third time the Friends have booked the Next Stage Ensemble at the VFW, Malar said.