In this remake of Shakespeare’s comedy, director Wendy C. Goldberg plays with the elements of gender, fashion and technology, allowing her audience to experience this tale in a truly unique way. The all-female cast defies the norms of theater in Shakespeare’s day and puts an interesting twist in the portrayal of lovers, such as Orlando (played by Sophia Jean Gomez) and Rosalind (Julia Coffey), as well as Oliver (Tracey Farrar) and Celia (Mattie Hawkinson).
Costume designer Anne Kennedy creates a stark contrast between the attire worn in the court, which were black, edgy and modern, and the costumes worn in the forest, which were colorful, airy and Bohemian. Additionally, the use of iPhones in the kingdom set the comedy in an entirely different time period than the original, making it more relatable to the audience.
Scenic designer Arnulfo Maldonado also wowed the playgoers with his beautiful sets, as he brought entirely imaginary lands to life. In the forest of Arden, trees were strung together with twinkling lights, and one could easily mistake the stage’s floor for a plush, green clearing. Contrasting with this was the very sharp, edged architecture of the court. Here, the colorless walls offered an ambiance of sterility and oppression.
Tickets to the play were offered through Loyola’s Honors Program. Each year, the Honors Program grants its members the opportunity to see plays performed at Center Stage, and they give away free tickets to each and every play of the season. So far this year, students have attended stellar renditions of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” “The Secret Garden”, and “X’s and O’s.” The Honor Programs certainly has its challenges, but it grants extra opportunities to appreciate the arts, which we often don’t take part in because we find ourselves too consumed with academics. We are able to celebrate other artists’ creativity, while expanding our imaginative horizons.
“As You Like It” will be showing at Towson University until next weekend, with its final performance showing, taking place on Sunday, Feb. 14.
Feature Image: tonynetone Photo, Courtesy of Flickr URL
