John Doyle’s Jazz Era staging of Shakespeare’s classic As You Like It with original music by Stephen Schwartz showcases a nimble ensemble led by Ellen Burstyn.
August 12, 2017: A poignant As You Like It opened at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor staged by the visionary director John Doyle. The comedy boasts original music by Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz and a performance by Tony, Oscar, and Emmy award winner Ellen Burstyn as the melancholy Jacques, a role traditionally played by a man.
The playful tale focuses on the romance of Rosalind, one of Shakespeare’s greatest heroines, and Orlando, played by Hannah Cabell and Kyle Scatliffe. respectively. When she is banished from the King’s castle Rosalind seeks freedom in the Forest of Arden disguised as a man with her cousin Celia the King’s daughter played by Quincy Tyler Bernstine, and a wise/fool Touchstone played by theater icon Andre De Shields.
Tony Award-winning Director John Doyle’s sets his minimalistic staging of As You Like It in the Jazz Era and transforms the Bay Street theater into the magical Forest of Arden infused with a melodic Jazz score by Stephen Schwartz, the composer of Broadway’s long running hit musical Wicked and luminous lighting by Mike Baldassari.” His gifted ensemble finds love and laughter and even more in Doyle’s lively take on Shakespeare.
The performances at Bay Street Theater end on September 3rd followed by a 6-week run at Classic Stage in New York’s East Village.
Photography: Barry Gordin
