Shakespeare and the rural roads of Door County work well together. And the green acres of the Bjorklunden Garden, located right on the Lake Michigan shoreline, is a perfect match for the Forest of Arden. Shakespeare's paean to pastoralism and the power of love amid the trees, As You Like It, sits comfortably in the green garden, with the only distraction the rustle of the wind in the trees, or the buzz of the insects that come out after dark. As You Like It, the first show for Door Shakespeare since 1996, succeeds because it embraces the pastoral play and makes it seem a natural part of the county. The play follows Rosalind, a young lady of the court. Her father, the duke, has been banished by her uncle. She has been allowed to remain at court because of her great friendship with her cousin, Celia. She meets Orlando, the youngest son of a dead knight who is trapped by his family. The two meet, and-in the way of stories-fall in love. But circumstances interrupt, and the lovers must flee the court, unaware of what the other is planning.
Rosalind and Celia hide their identity, with Rosalind dressing as a man and calling herself Ganymede. Of course, Orlando meets up with the disguised pair. Confusion about identity abound, and the forest of Arden has a strange effect on people: love springs at every turn. Rosalind finds herself with two suitors: Orlando and Phoebe. While the outdoors are a perfect setting for Shakespeare, the elements were not with Door Shakespeare the evening in July I saw the show. The cast had roasted during a matinee performance and were still struggling in the early evening heat.
The play itself starts slowly. With 24 characters and a complex story, much of the first act was spent setting up the action. Still, there was enough to keep the audience's attention in the first hour, including the famous "All the World's a Stage" speech. By the start of the second act, the sun was down, the air had cooled a bit and the comedy started to role. The set is minimal, but who needs fancy special effects when you have nature's splendor to work with? The "stage" centers on a massive oak tree. No more than a bench or a chair ever share the stage with the massive tree. And that centers the attention on the actors, as it should be in a play. Apart from Rosalind, all of the actors double and even treble up on parts. As Rosalind, Catherine Eaton brings a lovely charm to the role. It is easy to believe that she could cause a man and a woman to swoon over her, depending on the disguise. Jeff Nelsen's Orlando is the perfect mix of heartsick lover and youthful hero. Both actors are a delight in the scene where Orlando woes the disguised Rosalind.
Notice must also be given to the costumes, wonderfully designed by Ann Thenell Noirot; and to the original music written by American Folklore Theater veteran Karen Mal. Producers Jerry Gomis and Suzanne Graff should be commended for bringing Shakespeare back to Door County. Hopefully, it is a relationship that will continue in the year to come.
