“O, how full of briers is this working-day world!?
Shakespeare said it, and he wasn’t lying. To get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, stop over to Civic Center Park July 30 and 31 and August 1 for Michigan Youth Theater’s (MYT) rendition of As You Like It, a play by William Shakespeare.
Set in the 1920s, the play will feature 10 students from Lake Orion.
‘The show is very family-friendly,? said parent volunteer and promotional coordinator Sue Myer. Myer encourages residents to bring their lawn chairs or rent one from MYT and enjoy the refreshment concession.
As You Like It Art Director Dr. Lisa Hodge Kander describes the play as ‘a Shakespeare comedy about love and magical transformation set in the rip-roaring days of the twenties with gangsters and flappers and a dance of the Charleston in the middle of the forest.?
Kander said there’s a number of reasons she chose to set the play, written in 1599, in the 1920s.
‘When translated to modern era, I have the opportunity to make the roles that are not gender-specific, to make male roles into female and give more opportunities for young women,? she said, adding that cross-gender casting is especially helping because more young women participate than men.
By setting the play over 400 years after it was written, the audience, cast and crew also get unique insight into gender roles and stereotypes.
‘In the flapper era, women had just gotten the vote so there’s a lot of breaking down of female stereotypes? Kander said, ‘and Shakespeare does that a lot.?
The play is a pastoral comedy full of young love complicated by exile, cross-dressing and humorous identity confusion.
‘For young people, they are making this classic work as their own, and sharing their understanding of and delight in the material,? Kander said.
Erin Koehler, 13, of Lake Orion is in the role of Amiens. She’s been involved in theatre for 11 years and says she enjoys it.
‘You’re able to pretend without people thinking you’re crazy,? she said, adding that in As You Like It, she enjoys the costumes and love triangles.
Max Capasso, 12, of Lake Orion, has only been in theatre since October. He got involved when he saw his siblings participating. Capasso said he’s especially fond of his role in the play as Corin.
‘I like being an old guy,? he said from behind a distinctive curly, gray beard.
To see the show, stop by Civic Center Park at 7:30 p.m. July 30, 31 and Aug. 1, and also at 2 p.m. Aug. 1.
Michigan Youth Theater is a non-profit organization and, though the show is free, asks for a donation of $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.
Cooking in the limelight, the theater’s fundraiser cookbook, will also be for sale during the shows. Recipes in the book are mentioned in MYT’s plays or reflect plays? time periods.
For more information about MYT visit www.michiganyouththeater.org or contact director@michiganyouththeater.org.