By WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Directed by RALPH ALAN COHEN

June 13, 2018 – December 2, 2018

To escape death, the extraordinary Rosalind, her brave cousin Celia, and one of Shakespeare’s funniest fools flee into the woods. There, in the bewitching Forest of Arden, they discover shepherds and aristocrats, country folk and lovers – and, ultimately, life, love, joy, and freedom. Shakespeare’s glorious and wise comedy As You Like It reminds us of everything it is to be alive.

Spent an evening at the American Shakespeare Center… AMAZING night! Can’t wait to take my inspiration back into my classroom this year! @shakespearectr #asyoulikeit
Sarah Dennis

Brought a friend from out of town to see this performance. They were astounded at how wonderful it was. Simply brilliant.
Alexandra Pitts

My wife and I saw a rousing performance of As You Like It at @shakespearectr last week. Great performances: acting, song and dance, from beginning to end. A wonderful experience.
Pat McCuen

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Gallery

as you like it blackfriars playhouse summer fall season

Ralph Alan Cohen and David F. Meldman in rehearsal for AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Jay McClure.

Greg Brostrom and Meg Rodgers in rehearsal for AS YOU LIKE IT.

Briana Gibson Reeves in rehearsal for AS YOU LIKE IT.

Allie Babich in rehearsal for AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Jay McClure.

Jessika Williams and Shunté Lofton in rehearsal for AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Jay McClure.

Allie Babich and Shunté Lofton in AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Lindsey Walters.

Brandon Carter in AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Lindsey Walters.

The cast of AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Lindsey Walters.

Brandon Carter in AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Lindsey Walters.

John Harrell and Shunté Lofton in AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Lindsey Walters.

Meg Rodgers in AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Lindsey Walters.

Briana Gibson Reeves in AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Lindsey Walters.

Greg Brostrom in AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Lindsey Walters.

Shunté Lofton and Allie Babich in AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Lindsey Walters.

Briana Gibson Reeves, Meg Rodgers, Jessika Williams, and David F. Meldman in AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Lindsey Walters.

Shunté Lofton and Benjamin Reed in AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Lindsey Walters.

The cast of AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Lindsey Walters.

Brandon Carter and Allie Babich in AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Lindsey Walters.

The cast of AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Lindsey Walters.

Stuff That Happens

Stuff that Happens before the Play

Duke Frederick overthrows his brother, Duke Senior, who flees to the Forest of Arden with a group of followers, including a courtier named Jaques.

Stuff that happens in the play

Orlando complains to his old servant, Adam, that his older brother, Oliver, is depriving him of his rightful education and inheritance.
Oliver hears that Orlando plans to wrestle Charles, Duke Frederick’s champion, and asks Charles to kill Orlando.
At the wrestling match, Orlando meets Rosalind, the banished Duke Senior’s daughter.
Orlando wins the wrestling match, but Duke Frederick hears that he is the son of Sir Rowland — a friend of the banished Duke. Duke Frederick snubs Orlando instead of rewarding him. Rosalind, however, gives Orlando a token of hers to wear.
Duke Frederick banishes his niece Rosalind from court.
Duke Frederick’s daughter, Celia, insists on accompanying Rosalind. They hatch a plan to escape to the Forest of Arden, taking “the clownish fool” Touchstone to seek the banished Duke Senior.
Adam warns Orlando of Oliver’s murderous plans, and the two of them flee into the Forest of Arden.
Rosalind (disguised as a boy, Ganymede), Celia (disguised as Ganymede’s sister, Aliena), Touchstone, Orlando, and Adam reach the Forest of Arden, where the banished Duke Senior, Jaques, and other lords (as well as the Arden natives Corin, Silvius, Phebe, and Audrey) are pursuing their pastoral interests.
Orlando hangs love poems to Rosalind throughout the forest.
Ganymede (a.k.a. the lovestruck Rosalind) offers to give love lessons to the overeager Orlando.
Lions, a love triangle, mock weddings, and real weddings ensue.