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Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks: The Comedy of Errors

2013/14 Season

Recently On Our Stages

Production History

by William Shakespeare
directed by Gary Griffin

in Chicago Shakespeare’s Courtyard Theater
January 5 – March 6, 2011

“ Clear, kind, unpretentious, accessible and honest.”
–Chicago Tribune

“This is Shakespeare at his most irresistible, presented by an ensemble of performers who ascend to a world class level.”
–Copley News Service

An idyllic Forest of Arden provides the lush backdrop for Shakespeare's glorious romantic comedy of courtiers, clowns, philosophers and provincials—all bewitched by the trials and triumphs of love. Disguised as a boy, Rosalind escapes the perilous court—only to find her heart in peril as she instructs the man she loves on how best to woo a woman. CST's acclaimed Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin stages this tale of mistaken identity and misguided affection, following his wildly successful CST productions of Private Lives and Amadeus.

Approximate Running Time: 2 hours, 40 minutes (includes intermission)

The acting company is supported, in part, by Carl and Marilynn Thoma.

Generous support for this production has been provided by
Gayle and Glenn R. Tilles.

Music for As You Like It has also been underwritten by the
Gayle and Glenn R. Tilles Music Fund.

As You Like It is presented in the Jentes Family Auditorium.

In a land where brother is pitted against brother, Duke Senior is usurped and banished from his land by his own brother Frederick. A young man named Orlando faces a similar threat at the hands of his elder brother Oliver. To escape harm Orlando sets out for the freedom of the open road—though he�d like nothing more than to remain behind with a young woman he has just met, named Rosalind. But Rosalind, daughter to the banished duke, will soon suffer the same fate as her father, and she too is expelled from the safe harbor of the court. Duke Frederick's daughter Celia refuses to part from her beloved cousin, and the two—disguised as shepherdess and page—flee together, accompanied by the court jester Touchstone to search for Rosalind's father, living in exile in the Forest of Arden.

Disguised as a young man she names "Ganymede," Rosalind is caught off guard when in the midst of the forest she stumbles upon Orlando. As Ganymede she decides to befriend her love and teach him what it truly takes to win and keep a girl's heart—exactly what Rosalind is about to experience when a country girl named Phebe falls head over heels for the new arrival in the forest called Ganymede...Oliver pursues his fugitive brother into the forest, but instead finds love for a young woman whose appearance belies her. Now it is left to Rosalind to untangle this mess of mistaken notions and misguided loves.

– Contributed by the CST Education Department

Act-by-Act Synopsis

Dramatis Personae

	Recorded Pre�Ambles Half-hour pre-show lectures are offered on selected weekend dates. Listen to a scholar give an overview of important scholarship and discuss some of the production choices.
	Recorded Excerpts from Talk Back Discussions Post-show discussions with the cast are held after Wednesday and student matinees. Recordings are updated throughout the run of the production.
	A Scholar's Perspective by Michael Shapiro Michael Shapiro considers the duality of natural impulses versus the cultural practices and how characters struggle with it in As You Like It
	A Scholar's Perspective by Wendy Doniger Wendy Doniger examines the symbolism of nature, animals and disguise in As You Like It.
	Open Door: Audience Enrichment Programs CST offers pre- or post-show programs with members of the cast or scholars: Pre•Ambles, Pub Cast Calls and Talk Backs.
	Playing the Woman's Part in Arden Beth Charlebois examines questions of gender identity as dealt with in As You Like It
	Lovers, Lasses and Playing with Gender Rosalind enjoys unfamiliar freedoms in her role of Ganymede, and through them has the opportunity to learn more about who she really is.
	Shakespeare's Sources The story of As You Like It has roots in a story written more than 300 years before Shakespeare was born.
	Performance History While Rosalind has come to be considered one of the greatest Shakespearean roles for a woman, there is a chance the play was never performed during the Bard's lifetime.

The Cast
See who's who among the actors.

The Creative Team
See who’s who on the creative team—the director, designers and other artists who contribute to the creation of the world of the play.

	Preview Video Get a sneak peek of the action on stage.
	Conversation with the Actors Actors discuss what is special about As You Like It.
	Photo Gallery See a preview of Chicago Shakespeare’s As You Like It.
	Director Gary Griffin about As You Like It The director shares his plans for the production in the First Rehearsal.
	Costume Design Inspirations Designer Mara Blumenfeld shares her research into the Regency era and her plans for the costumes in As You Like It.
	A Conversation with Director Gary Griffin Members of the Education staff met with Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin to discuss his thoughts about As You Like It.

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