The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company is gearing up for its 29th season of Free Shakespeare on the Common, with an enchanting production of the romantic comedy “As You Like It.”
Set in the picturesque Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common, performances will run from Wednesday, July 23 through Sunday, August 10.
Steven Maler, the founding artistic director of CSC, will lead the direction of the show, aiming to relate the 400-year-old play to contemporary audiences.
“This play makes sense for our moment,” Maler recently stated in a phone interview prior to the beginning of rehearsals.
He notes that the story celebrates love as a powerful and unifying force amidst adversity.
The narrative unfolds as Rosalind, the daughter of Duke Senior, is forced into exile from her father’s court, which has fallen to the authoritarian rule of her uncle, Frederick.
Accompanied by her cousin Celia and the court fool Touchstone, they venture into the forest, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and forging a new community in harmony with nature and each other.
Along the way, they meet Orlando, whose older brother Oliver stands in opposition to him, denying him his rightful inheritance and plotting against his safety.
The love story thickens when Rosalind and Orlando meet, sparking a romantic connection.
In a bold move, Rosalind disguises herself as a man, gaining agency and the ability to guide Orlando in understanding the essence of true love.
Maler shares, “She’s dispossessed and a woman in a male society. Disguised as a man, she educates and tests Orlando in what it means to love.”
The setting will visually portray the stark contrast between the oppressive court and the vibrant forest.
With scenic designs by Riw Rakkulchon, the aesthetic will emphasize Frederick’s monochrome and brutalist court versus the colorful and fluid nature of the forest.
One of the play’s iconic moments includes Jacques’ famous speech beginning with, “All the world’s a stage,” which insightfully outlines the seven stages of human life.
This poignant wisdom emerges from the character of Duke Senior’s courtier Jacques, portrayed as a melancholy misanthrope.
Maler emphasizes that the power of Shakespeare’s works lies in their language, which the cast will bring to life through detailed word-by-word exploration coupled with physicality, costumes, and lighting.
He expresses excitement about directing this play for the third time, highlighting its relevance in today’s polarized society.
“It’s a play about people coming together and finding their shared humanity,” he adds.
The talented cast features Nora Eschenheimer as Rosalind and Michael Underhill as Orlando, both recognized for their earlier performances as lovers in CSC’s acclaimed production of “The Tempest” in 2021.
John Kuntz will take on the role of Touchstone, alongside Joshua Olumide as Oliver, Remo Airaldi as the shepherd Corin, and Jared Troilo as Amiens, Duke Senior’s attendant.
Additionally, six roles will be filled by members of CSC2, a group of emerging actors, fostering the next generation of talent in theater.
In a double casting role, Maurice Emmanuel Parent will portray both Duke Senior and Duke Frederick.
Parent, the co-founder, actor, and producing artistic director of the Front Porch Arts Collective, conveys his enthusiasm for playing both dukes, contemplating their duality as two aspects of the same character.
He poses intriguing questions about how to embody each duke thoroughly, especially in the context of Shakespeare’s exploration of power dynamics.
Musing on Frederick as a sort of totalitarian figure, Parent draws parallels with Macbeth, reflecting on what drives a person to seize power and then fear its loss.
When considering the character of Duke Senior as he finds solace in adversity within the forest community, Parent states, “sweet are the uses of adversity.”
He strives to avoid portraying flat characters, instead seeking to provide a genuine depth to both dukes, making each a whole individual rather than mere caricatures of their traits.
Shakespeare’s works have played a significant role in the careers of both Parent and Maler.
In October, Maler will further explore themes of power through his direction of Verdi’s adaptation of “Macbeth” for the Boston Lyric Opera.
Parent, who previously directed “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for the Actors’ Shakespeare Project, reflects on the rich experience of interpreting Shakespeare as a Black actor.
He emphasizes the importance of representing kings and leaders on stage, noting the high stakes involved.
“Nothing compares to delivering Shakespeare’s words while surrounded by nature in the heart of the city,” Parent concludes.
He reflects on the profound connection Shakespeare’s language nurtures with the world around us, from the earth’s grounding roots to the celestial heavens, illustrating the continuum of existence embodied in the characters.
With another season of Free Shakespeare on the Common, audiences can expect a vibrant, thoughtful production that resonates with contemporary themes of love, resilience, and community.
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