Beneath the misty foliage of the Forest of Arden lies a cast of motley fools, love poems posted on tree stumps, and a whole lot of weddings. To kick off this Cappies season, Calvary Christian Academy made sure to Shake(speare) it up with their performance of “As You Like It.”
In around 1599, the Bard himself put quill to parchment to craft this comedy (and its complicated family tree). A feud between Duchesses results in one court being exiled to the Forest of Arden, where Rosalind and her best-friend-slash-cousin, Celia, now reside under disguise. Orlando, who is lovestruck for Rosalind, also flees to the forest after learning of his brother, Oliver’s, plot against him. Unknowingly, he confides in the male Ganymede, who is truly Rosalind. A few dramatic reveals and familial forgivenesses later, Orlando and Rosalind, Oliver and Celia, and two more pairs of forest folk are married and welcomed back into the court.
“All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players–” except, of course, for Lily Shein and Aliyah Kallioinen, who went beyond just “players” to truly become Rosalind and Celia, respectively. Shein’s engaging inflection and comedic timing oozed conviction in her role, skillfully avoiding the trap of reciting the antiquated language. Similarly, Kallioinen’s facial expressions and diction drew the audience into the gal talk happening in the forest. The heartfelt chemistry between the actresses was remarkable, whether said aloud or communicated through body language.
The entire cast excelled in utilizing the space of the in-the-round performance area, but Jesse Oliva (Orlando) and Lucas Crossley (Charles) exhibited exceptionally dynamic physicality. The choreography of the wrestling scene between the two must be commended for its complexity and execution. Oliva, as Orlando, also expertly demonstrated brotherly bickering with Oliver (Jadon Wooddell). Oliva’s awkward facial expressions and smitten behavior in interactions with Rosalind prompted plenty of laughs. Wooddell’s characterization was consistent, and his love-at-first-sight moment with Celia was both heartwarming and believable.
The use of an in-the-round theater structure made the show especially intimate, and CCA’s meaningful blocking allowed for each audience member to experience the performance from a unique perspective. The student stage management stood out for precise lighting cues reflecting the action onstage. Although the colors of the lighting successfully contributed to the mood of the forest, it was difficult to distinguish where certain scenes were taking place, since set pieces were fixed.
The production also boasted a strong ensemble, who entered and exited the stage with convincing chatter that advanced the ambient sound in the space. These valuable cast members were excellently led by Desi Sewell-Browne as Duchess Senior, the embodiment of a matronly, calm figurehead. Additionally, the inclusion of live instruments onstage, such as a ukulele, tambourine, and horn, further fostered the folksy atmosphere. Although the interactions between characters were energetic and organic, the occasional lack of diction or pause for laughter led to some lines losing their moment.
Even if you were “sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything,” you could feel the love onstage at Calvary Christian Academy’s production of “As You Like It!”
