The stage of Baton Rouge’s Reilly Theatre will transform into the Forest of Arden when Swine Palace presents Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” beginning July 22 at 7:30 p.m.
The company will have evening shows at 7:30 p.m. July 22-25 with an afternoon performance slotted for 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 26. Director George Judy said he is excited to unveil the production, which will feature original music.
“I can feel everyone, sort of their expectation and energy and excitement is mounting as we get closer and closer to the point where we can actually share the work with an audience,” Judy said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
The action centers around Rosalind, the daughter of an exiled duke. She meets Orlando, the youngest son of the deceased Sir Rowland de Boys, and they fall in love.
Although the love life of one of Shakespeare’s most regarded heroines becomes a focal point, she isn’t the only character used to explore the idea of love and the things that come with it.
Judy said “As You Like It” is a romantic comedy, but it has a darker layer. He said the production will be both fun and funny, but there is substance to it.
“It’s basically an exploration of love and all its various shapes, fashions and forms,” Judy said. “There’s a central plot that has to do with romantic love. But there’s also love for parents and children, love between brother and sister, love of your work, love of your community. So it sort of explores the idea that love can make us do crazy things as much as it is sort of a wonder to us.”
“As You Like It” also features one of Shakespeare’s most famous monologues. One of Duke Senior’s attendants, Jaques, delivers the well-known “All the world’s a stage” monologue in Act II, Scene VII.
The performances also will introduce Swine Palace’s new resident ensemble.
“They are the sort of core of our group of actors,” Judy said. “Then we supplement those with guest professionals and actors from the community. Generally, that’s the casting tool for these productions.”
Judy said working with a new group of young artists is one of the great joys of directing. He said it’s bittersweet when one company leaves but exciting when a new group arrives.
As for the coming months, Judy said seeing the ensemble members perform in “As You Like It” will help make casting the core actors easier in coming shows.
“This was a little bit of a unique situation because I was casting them really shortly after meeting them,” Judy said. “I didn’t know them as well. But having now worked with them for these past two to three weeks and seeing their work in this production, it’ll give us lots of information about how to cast them over the two years they’re here in our resident ensemble company.”
The cost of admission for each of the performances is $15.
You can reach Jack Woods on Twitter @Jack_TDR.