Rosalind (Lindsay Alexandra Carter), dressed as Ganymede, playfully toying with the lovelorn Orlando (Lorenzo Roberts), with Celia (Antoinette Robsinon) looking on. (Teresa Wood)
When delivered properly, the lyricism of Shakespearean dialogue sounds perfectly natural. The beauty, drama, or wit of this prose can grab audience members and take them to a place where poetry quietly does its job, like a server at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Unfortunately, Folger’s As You Like It does not sneak the missing fork onto the table. Spoken by Lorenzo Roberts, Orlando’s lines clatter like a dropped tray of flatware. His flat and sing-song delivery highlights the rhythm of Shakespeare words but strips them of meaning. Surprisingly not new to the world of Shakespearean theater, his passionless portrayal of Orlando is distracting. The comedy suffers greatly for it.
However, redemption is found in Lindsay Alexandra Carter (Rosalind), Antoinette Robinson (Celia), and Allen McCullough (Duke Senior and Duke Frederick). After being unjustly banished from the court, Rosalind disguises herself as a man and hides in the forest. She falls so sweetly and sincerely in love with Orlando, then convinces herself that counseling him—as a male buddy—on how to win her affections is a good plan.
Loyal and spunky, Celia reels Rosalind in when necessary—or at least tries to. Her reactions to her smitten cousin’s plans are funny to watch. Although the circumstances and methods of courtship are unfamiliar, the situation is at its heart relatable. Love can make us all a little crazy.
Dramatized with blue and purple lighting by Eric Southern, the play opens with a dance by choreographer Alexandra Beller. Cast members wear masquerade masks and a mix of colorful gowns, suits, and casualwear designed by Charlotte Palmer-Lane. Touchstone the jester is whimsically attired in a bright plaid suit that looks like something Eliot might wear on The Magicians.
The mood during a party scene is at once sexy and vaguely eerie. The tone doesn’t quite blend with the rest of the production, but perhaps the mixture of jeans and ball gowns is an indication that this show intends to defy coordination.
As in most Folger shows these days, live music is incorporated as actors pick up instruments and lift their voices on stage. Thankfully, they are pretty good at it. As You Like It delivers several scenes with musical entertainment, a successful method of infusing energy and joy into the production.
Leon Rothenberg’s sound design is also worth noting, as he brings the forest to life.
Director Gaye Taylor Upchurch makes smart choices that add to the humor in this often funny script. Touchstone, for example, gingerly places a bandana on filthy sacks before sitting upon them. He drinks alcohol while his shepherd companion drinks water. The court mouse it seems makes a poor, but entertaining, country mouse.
A true comedy in which everything ends well for everyone, As You Like It could be your best choice for Valentine’s Day entertainment, or your worst, depending on whether or not you can stomach a story where everyone—losers included—finds love. Unfortunately, even two strong leading ladies, an impressive supporting cast, and a classic script that’s withstood the test of time cannot rescue this production from its leading man.
As You Like It runs through March 5th at Folger Theatre. Tickets here.
