What's not to like about Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's charming 'As You Like It?'

Brandy McDonnell, Oklahoman
·4 min read
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All the world may be a stage, but Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park is cultivating a beautiful bucolic setting in its Paseo Arts District back yard.

The professional theater is launching its 38th season with a charming spring production of William Shakespeare's enduring romantic romp "As You Like It," with performances continuing through May 14. Despite the ever-breezy Oklahoma winds, the Shakespeare Gardens — the cozy outdoor venue the nonprofit arts organization debuted last year and has since enhanced with more trees, flowers and landscaping — proved a particularly pretty spot to enjoy The Bard's pastoral comedy at the show's April 29 opening night.

From left, Emily Pace stars as Rosalind and Sophia Boyer as Celia in Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's spring production of "As You Like It."
From left, Emily Pace stars as Rosalind and Sophia Boyer as Celia in Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's spring production of "As You Like It."

Sharply directed by Oklahoma Shakespeare alumnus Erin Sloan, the company's new production of "As You Like It" remains faithful to The Bard's beloved romantic comedy while adding some subtly savvy contemporary touches.

Written around the turn of the 17th century, "As You Like It" remains a lasting favorite that explores still-resonant themes like love, attraction, dysfunctional families, forgiveness and gender roles. Oklahoma Shakespeare was originally slated to stage the rom-com in spring 2020 but had to postpone the production two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, it's delightful to finally see this long-awaited show staged with such evident joy.

Not surprisingly, prolific Oklahoma City actor Emily J. Pace shines in her first Shakespearean role. She picked a top-shelf part in Rosalind — one of Shakespeare's smartest, wittiest and most likeable heroines — and she delivers the cleverly crafted (and occasionally confounding) dialogue with skillful poise.

From left, Sophia Boyer plays Celia, Emily Pace stars as Rosalind and Matthew Moreillon appears as Oliver in Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's spring production of "As You Like It."
From left, Sophia Boyer plays Celia, Emily Pace stars as Rosalind and Matthew Moreillon appears as Oliver in Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's spring production of "As You Like It."

Set in France, the jocular comedy follows Rosalind as she disguises herself as a man and seeks refuge in the Forest of Arden after she is wrongfully banished by her uncle, an usurping aristocrat who previously exiled her father. In the forest, Rosalind, in the guise of Ganymede, encounters an array of colorful characters — including the malcontent Jaques and a flock of shepherds — and embarks on a gender-bending romance with her true love, Orlando, who is dealing with his own familial strife.

The production benefits heartily from the splendid chemistry between Pace's Rosalind and Sophia Boyer's Celia, Rosalind's loyal and loving cousin. When Rosalind is banished, Celia opts to abandon her father's court, and the pair set off into the imposing forest together, with Celia disguised as Ganymede's sister, Aliena. Chloe Mullin's canny costume designs make their subterfuge sufficiently convincing and quite stylish.

From left, Sophia Boyer plays Celia and Cameron Brown plays Touchstone in Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's spring production of "As You Like It."
From left, Sophia Boyer plays Celia and Cameron Brown plays Touchstone in Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's spring production of "As You Like It."

Joining them in exile is the clever and surprisingly wise jester Touchstone, played with scene-stealing aplomb by Cameron Brown, whose sly delivery of Shakespeare's observational humor calls to mind the comedic stylings of New York comics John Mulaney and Seth Meyers.

Shaun Kilburn does impressive double duty — including a stunningly well-executed quick-change — playing both the benevolent and rightful Duke Senior, Rosalind's father, and his backstabbing, hot-tempered younger brother, Duke Frederick, Celia's father.

Oklahoma Shakespeare mainstay Mariah Warren brings her consistently strong stage presence to the part of the proud shepherdess Phebe, who is infatuated with Rosalind's alter-ego Ganymede while rejecting the dogged devotion of her fellow shepherd Silvius (Tyler Malinauskas, who falls convincingly in love as Silvius and falls prey to his own pride as the boastful wrestler Charles).

Aaron Michael is almost too appealingly sardonic as Duke Senior's melancholic follower Jacques. He gives a nicely understated delivery of Shakespeare's famed “All the world's a stage” speech, and his talents on the violin do not go unappreciated.

From left, David Fletcher-Hall plays Adam and Devin Ricklef stars as Orlando in Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's spring production of "As You Like It."
From left, David Fletcher-Hall plays Adam and Devin Ricklef stars as Orlando in Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's spring production of "As You Like It."

Devin Ricklef brings ample youthful charm to the role of Rosalind's love-struck beau, the upright nobleman Orlando, and local favorite David Fletcher-Hall, who plays both Orlando's trusty servant Adam and the bemused shepherd Corin, is always a welcome addition to a Shakespearean show. The pair open the show with a guitar and harmonica duet that sets the enchanting mood quite nicely, and Lindsey Rollins again proves a vocal powerhouse during the play's musical interludes.

"As You Like It" offers a little song and dance, The Bard's usual finely crafted wordplay and enough romance to power a multi-couple wedding. What's not to like?

'AS YOU LIKE IT'

When: Through May 14.

Where: Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's Shakespeare Gardens, 2920 Paseo.

Information and tickets: https://www.okshakes.org.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's 'As You Like It' can be seen outdoors