Curtain Theater is celebrating 25 years at the Old Mill Park and the 125th birthday of Mill Valley itself by setting their production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It in the year 1900.
The show runs in the Old Mill Park Amphitheater through Sept. 1.
If one is unfamiliar with this play, there is an old joke describing Shakespeare writing a plot by throwing darts at random words on a dartboard. That joke ends with As You Like It, meaning director Doyle Ott had quite a challenge on his hands.
Of all Shakespeare’s plays, this is the one that lets its women take stage, and this production takes full advantage of that. Suzie Hicks plays the cross-dressing Rosalind with a current of mischief that elevates the leading lady from victim to the master of their own destiny.
Tina Traboulsi speaks Shakespeare as if the two of them sometimes hang out at the skatepark. Her intimacy with the text and the unsanctimonious approach she takes with it makes her Celia a delight to watch.
Together, Hicks and Traboulsi give us a realistic, loving and grounded friendship that carries this enjoyable production.
Rachel Ka’iulani Kennealy’s Audrey steals the show whenever she’s onstage. Usually, Audrey is played as just a pawn or joke, but not this Audrey. This Audrey has grounded, realistic agency, making her an equal to Touchstone.
There are other good performances here. David Cole is consistently funny and unflagging in the energetic role of Touchstone. Thomas Peterson and Daniel Silverman, as Corin and Silvius, err on the side of humanity instead of caricature, making it easier to sympathize with poor Silvius’ unrequited love. Also, a special call-out must go to Euan Ashley for fully embracing the physical comedy.
The concept’s time and place are supported by costumes by Robert Horek and music composed by Don Clark that successfully hearken back to a turn of the last century, redwood-filled Forest of Arden.
This show has some minor flaws. The overall concept isn’t incorporated into the production beyond the costumes and music, which sometimes made it weird that they were singing “Hey Nonny” with a quasi-twang. But even when this production misses a step, it is buoyed by the cast, with the result being a thoroughly enjoyable show.
If one is looking for a laugh in one of the most beautiful settings around, then they’re in luck. Plus, it’s free, which makes this As You Like It a win for audience members and outdoor Shakespeare.
‘As You Like It’ runs Saturdays & Sundays through Sept. 1, with a special Labor Day Monday performance at the Old Mill Park Amphitheater, 352 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. All shows 2pm. Free. Donations graciously accepted. curtaintheatre.org.
