Bay Street, As Always: As You Like it!

Shakespeare’s As You Like It is gracing the Mainstage at Bay Street this summer. Under the inspiring direction of Tony Award winner, John Doyle, and spiced with original Jazz-era inspired music by the three-time Academy Award winner, Stephen Schwartz, this production puts a new twist on a pastoral comedy that has been an audience favorite around the globe for four centuries.

As You Like It is a co-production with Classic Stage Company in New York City. This theater company re-imagines classic stories for contemporary audiences. True to their mission, this innovative and entertaining production is ambitious in scope, as it tries to transcend race, gender, stereotypes, and time itself.

In this experimental theater piece, the play is set during the 1930’s in the height of the depression. The cast formed a tight-knit ensemble, which helped them all perform at their best in difficult roles that demand delivering believable Shakespearean dialogue, singing, and in some instances: playing musical instruments.

As You Like It is Rosalind’s story, and Hannah Cabell, whose Broadway credits include: The Father (MTC) and A Man for All Seasons (Roundabout), is an energetic and likable Rosalind. Quincy Tyler Bernstine (Intimate Apparel) is charismatic as Rosalind’s cousin and sidekick, Celia. Kyle Scatliffe (The Color Purple, Les Miserables) as Orlando, Rosalind’s love interest, is convincing in his portrayal of a lovesick young man.

Academy Award, Emmy Award, and Tony Award winner, Ellen Burstyn, (Same Time, Next Year, The Last Picture Show, The Exorcist) as Jacques, delivers some of the most memorable lines of the play, including the infamous “All the world’s a stage” monologue. She is a seasoned professional and her onstage presence as the melancholic and philosophical, Jacques, who she portrays androgynously, is a memorable one.

André De Shields (The Full Monty, Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Wiz) as Touchstone, the clown, is a comedic wonder onstage and his body language speaks volumes throughout the production. Cass Morgan (Broadway: Big River) as Anna/Audrey is a multi-talented performer, whose interaction with Mr. De Shields' comic Touchstone is one of the high points of this production. The way Ms. Morgan expertly delivered her lines and reacted viscerally to the actions around her makes her shines in this production. Leenya Rideout (War Horse, Company, Cabaret) as Phoebe is the biggest surprise of all. When the play opens, she gracefully glides around the stage playing her violin, later, she plays the cello, but when she opens her mouth, she is amazingly musical, earthy, sensuous, and colorful. Other great performances are given by Tony Award nominee, Bob Stillman (Grey Gardens, Songbird) as Duke Frederick/ Duke Sr.; David Samuel (The Diamond in the Rough, To Kill a Mockingbird) as Silvius, and Noah Brody as Oliver/Corin.

The rest of the creative team includes: Ann Hould-Ward (Costume designer), Andrew Diaz (Props designer), Shaughn Bryant (Sound Supervisor), Kat West (Production Stage Manager), and Stewart/Whitely (Casting).

Bay Street’s As You Like It overflows with songs, music, lyricism, love, and laughter…who could ask for anything more!

This show is running from now until September 3. For tickets call the Box Office at 631-725-9500 11 am – show time daily or purchase online at www.baystreet.org.

(Images by Larry Stucker)

Cindi Sansone-Braff is and award-winning playwright and author of “Grant Me a Higher Love,” and “Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships.” She has a BFA in theatre from the University of Connecticut. This summer, August 5th and 6th, Tomorrow’s Classic Theatre Company produced her full-length play, “Beethoven’s Promethean Concerto in C Minor,” a theatrical tribute to the man, the myth, the music.