“As You Like It” reviewed by Amy Menzel

[rating=5]Don’t let the VW bus on the promo poster fool you – this is Shakespeare. And don’t let the name Shakespeare fool you – this ain’t your schoolmarm’s Shakespeare. This adaptation of one of the Bard’s most popular comedies is infused with the music of The Beatles and The Milwaukee Rep’s production is chalked full of fun.

The stage itself is set (by Pam Johnson) for fun, framed with square lighting panels reminiscent of a ‘60s era variety show and a wrestling ring front and center. (It’ll all make sense. Just go with it.) It’s intriguing and impressive, and the same can be said for this incredible cast. Each player brings tremendous energy to the stage, and at times I’m not sure who’s enjoying the show more – the cast or the audience. I’m going to go with the audience based on the following evidence:

the amount of sheer, unfettered laughter throughout the show
an actual snort of laughter heard from behind me in the first act
a person heard quietly humming a tune from one scene during the next scene
a theater-goer yelling “Yeah!” after the first number of the second act
an audience member tapping along to “Good Day Sunshine” on her leg
my personal conviction that it’s quite possible no one enjoyed the show as much as I did

I found myself amazed at how brilliantly the cast delivers both Elizabethan English as well as English rock in equally impressive fashion, all while building the tension between characters, whether they be rivals or lovers, through masterful facial expressions and impeccable timing. Truly, if timing is everything, this production is everything.

Early in the first act, the number “She Loves You” allows the company to showcase their range and depth, from incredible choreography (by Jonathan Hawley Purvis) to stunning lighting (by Gerald King) that enhance the musical production and performance. By the time we get to “Let It Be,” I’m no longer shocked, but still amazed at how the number feels like it should, both as an iconic piece of pop culture and an integral part of this adaptation.

Savannah L. Jackson and Justin Gregory Lopez, as Rosalind and Orlando, have a connection the audience can’t seem to get enough of. Adam Wesley Brown and Sophie Murk, as Touchstone and Audrey respectively, have a similar connection, and one, moreover, their characters can’t seem to get enough of, much to the amusement of those in the house. Still, it may be Trish Lindström as Jaques/Le Beau who amused the audience most on opening night. Whether she was stumbling around as Le Beau or strutting around as Jaques, the audience was tickled and entertained.

I can’t say enough about this cast. In the future, I will go see any show if I see any one of them is in it. Meanwhile, it comforts me that they’ll be playing at The Rep in this production through March 20. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased milwaukeerep.com.

An audio-described performance is on Tuesday, February 22 at 6:30 p.m. An ASL-interpreted performance is on Thursday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m. And a captioned theater performance is on Sunday, March 13 at 2 p.m.

The show runs 2 hours and 42 minutes including one intermission.

This show is a must-see! If you need a date (platonic, my husband insists), let me know, because I think I must see this again.

EDITORS NOTES:

The theatre also offers parking IN the building for as little as $10 with easy in/out  One never has to worry about the elements and I made it from lake Cook Rd and the tollway to the theater and parked in 67 minutes. There are days I cannot get into the loop in that amount of time and parking is far more costly. Milwaukee has some great theater, so take advatage!