(CINCINNATI) – Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will open its Thompson Shelterhouse season with William Shakespeare’s glorious romantic comedy, AS YOU LIKE IT The show begins public previews on October 1 and continues through November 6.
The extraordinary Rosalind flees to the Forest of Arden when banished from court by her villainous uncle. Disguised as a boy, Rosalind finds herself instructing the man she loves on how to woo a woman – her! Mistaken identities and misguided affections untangle to reveal life, love, joy and the truth that, ultimately, “all the world’s a stage.”
AS YOU LIKE IT marks Producing Artistic Director Edward Stern’s final production as a director at the Playhouse; he is working in collaboration with Associate Artistic Director Michael Evan Haney.
According to Stern, “I so much wanted to finish directing at the Playhouse with a Shakespeare play because of all the challenges involved. More importantly, I wanted to end my directing at the Playhouse with a show dedicated to love and life. I don’t know a better play than AS YOU LIKE IT to accomplish that.”
“I respect Ed so much as a director and producer,” said Michael Evan Haney on working with Stern. “Working with him on AS YOU LIKE IT is a true delight for me. I love hearing Ed’s insights into the play and his vision of the production. We are having a great time batting ideas about. I believe one of the primary jobs of a director is to create a work environment that enables the best work to be accomplished by all involved. Ed does this and he always makes the rehearsal process a fun experience.”
Other members of the production team include Joseph P. Tilford (set designer), Susan Tsu (costume designer), Thomas C. Hase (lighting designer), Douglas Lowry/Michael Murnoch (composers), Philip Thompson (voice and text consultant) and Drew Fracher (fight director). The stage manager is Andrea L. Shell.
The cast for AS YOU LIKE IT includes several returning actors, including Sarah Dandridge (Othello, Travels of Angelica) as Rosalind, Joneal Joplin (A Christmas Carol, Witness for the Prosecution, The Fantasticks, among others) as Adam and Sir Oliver Martext, Michael Gabriel Goodfriend (Sleuth) as Oliver, Brendan Averett (Of Mice and Men) as Charles and Corin, Christopher McHale (Art, Much Ado About Nothing, among others) as Duke Senior and Chris Hietikko (Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, Dracula, The Mousetrap) as Duke Frederick.
Making their Playhouse debuts are Alvin Keith as Orlando, David Graham Jones as Touchstone, Francesca Choy-Kee as Celia, Bob Braswell as Le Beau and Silvius, Rebeca Miller as Phoebe, Matt D’Amico as Jaques and Michael Murnoch as Amiens. Members of the Playhouse 2011-2012 Bruce E. Coyle Acting Intern Company will also make their debuts: Aram Monisoff as Dennis and William, Carlos Saldaña as a lord and Jaques De Boys; Katherine Leigh as Audrey; and Ben Sullivan as a lord.
Prices for AS YOU LIKE IT start at $25; they vary depending on seat location, performance day and are subject to change.
Tickets are just $25 for the preview performances at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 1; 7 p.m. Sunday, October 2; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 4; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 5. The official opening night is Thursday, October 6 at 8 p.m.
The Playhouse is offering a ticket deal to introduce teenagers to the timeless wit and wisdom of Shakespeare. With the purchase of a regular price or subscription ticket to As You Like It, theatregoers may bring a teenager for just $12 (limit two; not valid with other discounts or on Center Section or Previews; offer subject to change). Contact the box office at 513/421-3888 to purchase tickets or more information.
Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets to AS YOU LIKE IT are on sale now. For more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208) or visit http://www.cincyplay.com. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility.
The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.
The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to ArtsWave.
The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 