As You Like It

Liz Filios & Jake Blouch

The Lantern Theater Company, located in St. Stephens Church at 10^th and Ludlow Streets, Philadelphia, is presenting William Shakespeare’s As You Like It through April 17, 2016. This iteration of Shakespeare’s comedy is as welcome an introduction to spring as a breath of fresh air.  A lot of credit must be credited to composer Michael Hahn and Artistic Director Charles McMahon who had the vision to create the musical interludes throughout the piece. Whether it is the cello and violin, the accordion and banjo, the guitar and tambourine or all of them in concert, the sounds of these instruments set a variety of moods both in the Duke’s Castle and in the unpredictable Forest of Arden.  Liz Filios is a wonderful Rosalind. Feminine in the court until she is exiled, she disguises herself as a boy as she flees to a less constrained life in the forest. Living among shepherds with her cousin Celia (Ruby Wolfe) as her companion, Rosalind commands the respect which is given only to males. When she discovers love poems posted on forest trees written to none other than Rosalind, she has no confidence that the author Orlando (Jack Blouch) can be trusted until she puts him through a series of tests. Fight scenes that Orlando is involved in are beautifully choreographed. J. Hernandez, as Touchstone, plays the fool convincingly and is responsible for many of the laughs in the production. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Frank X, portraying Jaques, who is not able to escape his periods of melancholy.  Each member of this talented cast has at least one ensemble role to portray as well as his named role.  Come to the Lantern to see Shakespeare at its best.  You will not leave disappointed. For more information or tickets, call 215-829-0395 or visit online at LanternTheater.org.