"As you like it" Fitting in Murphy's Amphitheater

"As You Like It," William Shakespeare's happiest comedy, finds a perfect setting in Murphys Creek Theatre's delightful and newly refashioned amphitheater.

In fact, this venue offers a bit of verisimilitude not found in the text. A lion -- at least a mountain lion -- more likely could be found in the Murphys foothills than the Ardennes forest of Belgium, where the author set the play. Of course, sober facts and logic play little part in this whimsical romance.

Besides misplaced lions, we find irrational villains suddenly becoming heroes and the female lead -- in Shakespeare's time played by a boy -- who masquerades as a boy who assumes the part of a girl to help her lover -- who doesn't recognize her -- in his suit for her hand.

The plot is basically just a lightweight structure on which to hang this fantasy of love conquering all in an idyllic wilderness.

It does provide one of the juiciest women's roles in the entire Shakespearean repertory. Rosalind, daughter of the banished Duke Frederick, is a paragon of charm, wit and wisdom. Here, as played by Rebecca Dalrye, she instantaneously vacillates between a schoolgirl's effusive infatuation and an elder statesman's grasp of political intrigue. She offers a consistent and credible interpretation, though some lines were delivered so rapidly they were difficult to understand.

This vocal projection problem was shared by several of the actors.

Rosalind is loved by Orlando. Brian Harrower captures the gauche and naive charm of this love-smitten young man who has been deprived of his estate by his older brother.

Rosalind and Celia (Deborah Taylor) are such good friends they flee together to the forest when Frederick suddenly banishes Rosalind. Taylor was excellent, her understated presence giving a stable influence to the volatile Rosalind.

Two memorable characters, Touchstone (Douglas Kester) and Jacques (Michael Mager), though both objects of parody, delivered many of the most memorable lines.

Their resonant voices could be heard easily and their stage presence commanded attention. Mager gave the famous observation that "all the world's a stage" a particular freshness and conviction.

Several supporting roles in the cast of 18 added a special luster. Todd Thomas and Katherine Old shone as the mismatched peasants Silvius and Phoebe. Dennis Brown sang with musical proficiency the songs that ornament this most tuneful of Shakespeare's dramatic works.

British director Illona Linthwaite maintained a light comic touch in and made clever use of the venue's flexible staging. Though the pace slowed a bit at the end, throughout the show the energy was high.

Pam Bone's costumes provided an authentic and colorful note and fight choreographer Bruce Cole made the important wrestling scene at least as credible as most of that sport you see on TV.

The opening night audience of 72 responded warmly to the 23/4-hour show that's alternating with Shakespeare's "Othello" for the season.

So bring a lunch -- or buy refreshments there -- and a blanket for the evening chill and enjoy a great evening of summer entertainment.