York Drama is staging William Shakespeare’s comedy, “As You Like It,” this weekend, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Oct. 13, 14 and 15) and a final performance at 2 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 16).
Audiences will have a fascinating opportunity to see how a play written around 1600 is interpreted by a cast of 32 high school students backed by dozens of other students contributing behind the scenes.
“The incredible students in York Drama are ready to share their light with the community,” longtime York Drama director John Forsythe said in a news release.
“This is a play about self-discovery and transformation,” Forsythe continued, “affirming that the connections we have to each other are far more important than our differences. It is an ideal tonic for the fractured world around us.”
The play follows the heroine Rosalind, described by a critic as one of Shakespeare’s most fully realized female characters, as she flees her uncle’s court for the Forest of Arden, where she eventually finds love.
According to York Drama, the play is woven of four storylines, from tragic beginnings of brother struggling against brother through lighthearted romantic comedy style adventure, live musical numbers, and a philosophical journey of human experience.
In an email to Pioneer Press, Forsythe, whose background is in classical theater, talked about picking “As You Like It” for production by the students of York Drama.
“I was a member of the Chicago Shakespeare Company for a number of years,” Forsythe said in his email, “and I think it’s important for the kids to have experience with Shakespeare at some time in their high school experience. “As You Like It” seems perfect for our times, as its theme is that of personal growth through interacting with others. Personal connection seems to me to be of paramount importance.”
Forsythe taught math, including calculus, precalculus, geometry and other classes, at York for 19 years before retiring in 2021. This is his 20th year directing at the school, with a professional directing and acting career going back another 20 years.
“As You Like It” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday in the York High School Baker Auditorium, 355 W. St. Charles Rd. Tickets are on sale for $15 at www.yorkdrama.org.
Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
