Murphys Creek opens with likeable comedy

By KATHIE ISAAC-LUKE
Union Democrat
June 28, 2007

“As You Like It,” which opened Murphy Creek Theatre’s annual “Theatre Under the Stars” summer festival on Friday, has consistently been one of Shakespeare’s most popular and enduring comedies. Often described as an audience pleaser, this play includes song, dance, physical comedy, mistaken identity and even a spirited fight scene.

Director Graham Scott Green has assembled a talented cast, most of whom have had considerable experience acting in other productions of Shakespeare’s plays.

This production is set in a farming community reminiscent of the Midwest in the 1930s. Green has also designed an imaginative set where most of the action takes place in front of a barn surrounded by bales of hay. There is also a moss covered gazebo and a vintage pickup truck out back.

Characters enter and exit through the barn doors, and at least one tryst takes place in the loft. When the action moves to the Forest of Arden, good use is made of the surrounding wooded area, and couples can be seen strolling through the trees.

The costumes by Ann Mazzaferro also reflect the 1930s and feature simple pastel dresses, aprons and overalls.

As in many of Shakespeare’s plays, the story revolves around sets of opposites. In “As You Like It,” much of the opposition is expressed in terms of familial conflict.

When the play opens, Orlando is complaining that his older brother Oliver has deprived him of their late father’s inheritance. The villain of the piece, Duke Frederick, banishes Orlando from his court after discovering he is the son of a former enemy. Duke Frederick has earlier usurped his own brother, Duke Senior, who is hiding in the Forest of Arden. He then exiles his niece Rosalind, the daughter of the deposed Duke.

Celia, Frederick’s daughter, is devoted to Rosalind. She disguises herself as a country lass and escapes with her cousin, who is disguised as the boy Ganymede. Accompanied by Touchstone, the court jester, the two cousins make their way to the Forest of Arden. There they meet various rural characters and the play gets a chance to explore the contrast between country and city values.

Josh Gren brings a lot of energy to the demanding role of Orlando. He is excellent in the fight scene where he challenges one of Frederick’s favorites. It is at this match that Orlando and Rosalind meet and become smitten with one another, setting the stage for their eventual romance.

Gren has extensive stage experience. He is a Gold Award recipient in Shakespeare Performance from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Lara Ford is fetching in the role of the love-struck Rosalind. She is equally convincing as her alter ego Ganymede, who makes sure that Rosalind is never far from Orlando’s thoughts. Ford has been acting since she was a child and has appeared previously at MCT as Lady Olivia in “Twelfth Night.” The role of the spiteful Duke Frederick is played with style and assurance by Jack Souza. Souza is also fine in the roles of the melancholy Jacques and the shepherd Corin, but his performance as Duke Frederick is the most memorable and definitive.

Souza is the founding artistic director of Modesto’s Prospect Theater Project. He has impressive theater credits and has recently appeared in “Twelfth Night” and in “The Seagull” at Sierra Repertory Theater.

Tara Kayton is a delight as Touchstone the jester. Her philosophical musings and comic timing really shine in the second act. While in Arden, Touchstone falls in love with Aubrey, a simple country dweller played by Graham Scott Green. Kayton trained at the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England.

William Trier deftly handles Oliver’s conversion from malicious to virtuous. Misty Day, returning to MCT for her fifth season, makes the most of her role as the saucy Celia.

Other cast members, including Sid Marsh, Martha Kight, Stephen Daly, Hilary Schwartz, Tom Vannucci and Monica McHardy, are fine in multiple supporting roles.

Some of the funnier moments in the second act are provided by Stephen Daly as the shepherd Silvius, who courts Martha Kight’s reluctant Phebe.

The songs are performed in troubadour fashion by several of the cast members. Martha Kight sings a lovely version of the traditional “Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind.” The sound for the production is excellent. All of the dialogue carries well throughout the outdoor seating area. I noticed several children in the audience who seemed very engrossed in the play, and it occurred to me that this production would be a good way to introduce young people to Shakespeare.

The second act seemed to drag a bit, but this is probably owing to the structure of the play itself. Almost all of the plot unfolds in the first act, leaving the audience to watch for the wicked to redeem themselves, the lovers to find one another, and for all to be set right.

But no matter. This play is an entertaining diversion to be enjoyed as the sun sets, the stars come out, and a cool breeze rises over the terraced lawn.

“As You Like It” plays through July 14 at the Cornelia B. Stevenot Performing Arts Center at Stevenot Winery in Murphys. For tickets, call 728-8422.