By Candace Zafirellis
Shakespeare ’70 presents William Shakespeare’s comedy masterpiece “As You Like It” at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre. Performances are Fridays, June 28 and July 5 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, June 29 and July 6 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, June 30 and July 7 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college’s West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on June 28.
The play follows its heroine, Rosalind, as she flees persecution in her uncle’s court, accompanied by her cousin, Celia, and Touchstone, the court jester. They flee to the Forest of Arden where she eventually finds love with Orlando. Romantic mix ups, cross-dressing, love poems nailed to trees, and a lion await them all in this fun favorite among audiences.
Over the years, “As You Like It” has been adapted for radio, film, and musical theater. The 1936 film starred Laurence Olivier as Orlando in his first Shakespearean role. In 1978, Helen Mirren played Rosalind in the BBC version for television, and in 2006, Kenneth Branagh directed a film version set in 19th-century Japan.
The cast features Kathy Garofano of Morrisville, PA, as Duchess Frederika; Emily West of North Wales, PA, as Rosalind; Maddie Patrick of Raritan as Celia; Dan Loverro of Sparta as Touchstone; Jim Bloss of Marlton as Le Beau; Ernie Albanesius of Chesterfield as Charles/Jacques de Bois; Patrick Albanesius of Raritan as Oliver de Bois; Ray Fallon of Westmont as Orlando de Bois; John Anastasio of Ewing as Adam; Reagan Frankhouser of New Hope, PA, as Denise; Dale Simon of Flemington as Duke Senior; Curt Foxworth of Middletown as Jaques; Andrew Timmes of Lawrenceville as Amiens; Jess Noll of Lawrenceville as Phoebe; Michael Krahel of Hillsborough as Silvius; Hannah Adamy of Lawrenceville as Audrey; Fred Bartlett of Hamilton as Corin; Garrett Verdone of Westfield as William; and John Cherney of Newton as Sir Oliver Martext.
The show is directed by John Erath of Biddeford, ME, with assistant direction by Janet Quartarone of Flemington, and stage management by Lili Daniel of Lawrenceville.
Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, and $12 for students and children. For tickets, call the Kelsey Theatre box office at (609) 570-3333, or order online at www.kelseytheatre.net. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available next to the theater.
Kelsey Theatre’s summer schedule of shows continues with “Godspell,” July 12-21; Reock and Roll in Beatles’ “White Album,” July 27-28; “Mary Poppins” Movie Sing-a-long, Aug. 2-4; and the Third Annual Kelsey Theatre Awards Ceremony on Aug. 10. Discount packages are available, up to 35 percent off. For more information, call (609) 570-3333, or visit www.kelseytheatre.net/summer13.
