The Cumberland Theatre is once again pleased to bring free Shakespeare performances to Constitution Park's Amphitheatre this summer! This year's selection is the comedy As You Like It, which will be performed August 9th - 11th with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm. The show is being sponsored by the Gilmore family and features both local and out-of-town actors.
As You Like It follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle's court, accompanied by her cousin Celia to find safety and, eventually, love, in the Forest of Arden. In the forest, they encounter a variety of memorable characters, notably the melancholy traveller Jaques who speaks many of Shakespeare's most famous speeches (such as "All the world is a stage", "too much of a good thing" and "A fool! A fool! I met a fool in the forest"). The play remains a favorite among audiences and has been adapted for radio, film, and musical theatre. Gender roles, nature and politics are hilariously confused as the play reflects on how bewildering yet utterly pleasurable life can be.
Heading the cast as Rosalind is Georgia native, Courtney Feiman. She has appeared in principal roles numerous CT productions including Sophie in Mamma Mia, Poppy in Noises Off and most recently, Chutney Wynham in Legally Blonde the Musical. Playing Celia will be Johnna Leary who has graced the CT stage as Christine Colgate in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Barbara in Night of the Living Dead Live.
Appearing as two brothers who get intertwined with the cousins are Adrian Williams as Orlando and Leo Wollan as Oliver. Williams is a student at Indian University of PA and recently made his debut as Carlos in Legally Blonde and Wollan was last seen in the ensemble of Reefer Madness the Musical.
Nate Smith of Chicago will take on the role of Jacques and Erik Alexis (last seen as the Lecturer in Reefer Madness) will play Adam. Appearing as Touchstone, the jester, will be Michael Null of Oakland. Also appearing in the production in supporting roles will be Whitney O'Haver, Tai Baumann, Connor McCabe, Emily Haworth, Karen Hutcheson, Denise Adams and Jennifer Clark, who is also directing and designing the production. Madison Dolchan is serving as the production's stage manager.
The production is free to the public and runs approximately 90 minutes. It is appropriate for all age groups. If more information is needed, please call the theatre at 301.759.4990 or visit us on Facebook or www.cumberlandtheatre.com.