“All the world’s a stage” --- and so is one of Philadelphia’s most beautiful parks this summer, as Shakespeare in Clark Park returns to University City for a third year of free outdoor theatre. The romantic comedy As You Like It will run July 30-August 3 at 7:00 pm, directed by Shakespeare in Clark Park’s co-artistic director, Maria Möller.

As You Like It tells a witty, wise and sometimes wacky tale of love and transformation. Banished from court by her evil uncle, the plucky and courageous Rosalind disguises herself as a boy and escapes from the dangerous confines of “civilized” life to the Forest of Arden. Running the gamut from philosophical discourse to slapstick comedy, As You Like It explores affairs of the heart from all angles.

“Our production imagines a ‘reforested’ Clark Park, set in the moment before 1895 --- the year that the park was established by the City of Philadelphia,” says director Maria Möller. “Like an urban park, the Forest of Arden is an in-between place, straddling wilderness and society. It’s a place where one’s usual mask can be discarded and a new one tried on for size.

Being a romantic comedy, the mask that most of the characters try on is that of the lover, and each in their own way discovers how they’ll sustain their new understanding of love once they no longer have the protection of the forest. One of the most powerful beauties of As You Like It is that it is not just funny and romantic: it’s also a down-to-earth tutorial on how to love in the real world.”

Up-and-coming Philadelphia actress Kristyn Chouiniere takes on the role of Rosalind, Shakespeare’s most captivating comedic heroine, with Felicia Leicht as her devoted cousin Celia and Mike Dees as their lusty clown Touchstone. Ted Powell plays Rosalind’s poetic lover Orlando, Justin Jain is the long-suffering Silvius, and Jess Conda is Phebe, his reluctant object of affection. Philadelphia newcomer Christopher Bohan plays the melancholy Jaques and the talents of Robert Bauer, Robert DaPonte, Dallas Drummond, Ethan Lipkin, and Sara Wolff round out the cast.

As You Like It features a set by designer Dirk Durossette that blends the park’s real trees with sculptural ones, lighting by Stephen Hungerford, and costumes by Erica Hoelscher. The many songs of As You Like It are set to an original vocal score by Andrew Nelson (of the Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret), composed in the “Bicycle Built for Two” pop music style of the 1890s.

Shakespeare in Clark Park is committed to producing free, outdoor summer theatre in Clark Park, a vibrant green space that is the cornerstone of a diverse community. While engaging the community and expanding Philadelphia’s summertime cultural scene, Shakespeare in Clark Park re-imagines the world of the park through the works of Shakespeare.

The University City District and Zipcar have generously provided sponsorship support for As You Like It.

Show Title:
As You Like It

Company:
Shakespeare in Clark Park

Location:
“The Bowl”, Clark Park 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue

Dates:
Wednesday, 7/30 – Sunday, 8/3 7pm

Tickets:
Free
Bring chairs and blankets

Information:
215-462-2115
www.shakespeareinclarkpark.org