Hope College Theatre’s production of William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” is continuing its two-week stand in the DeWitt Center main theatre.
The second week of the production will run on Wednesday-Friday, April 16-18, at 8 p.m., and on Saturday, April 19, at 2 p.m.
Banished dukes, disguised identities, misunderstandings, obstacles and discovery of love, all the makings of great storytelling can be found in Shakespeare’s popular comedy.
“Rosalind is one of Shakespeare's most endearing and engaging female characters,” said Daina Robins, the production’s director, who is a professor of theatre and chairperson of the department, of her decision to select the play as the final production of the academic year. “Her wit, resourcefulness, and heart are what drew me to the play. As she improvises her way through Arden, we delight in her warm spirit and the crazy antics of humans in the throes of love. It seems an apt production for spring -- if it ever comes....”
Hope’s production team, led by Robins and guest scenic designer David Barber, have chosen to set the world of the play amidst the Industrial Revolution. Barber, a professional union scenic designer from New York City, has contributed a unique set which transports the play from the court scenes to the Forest of Arden with a creative reveal and all with a flavor of the 1880s.
In addition to Robins and Barber, the production team includes senior Alexa Duimstra of Appleton, Wis., costume designer; faculty member Michelle Bombe, costume design mentor; senior Angelica Kurtz of Streamwood, Ill., props designer; faculty member Perry Landes, music composer and sound designer; and senior Aaron Haecker of Winchester, Va., lighting designer. Staff members include Paul Anderson, technical director; and Darlene Veenstra, costume shop manager. The production is stage managed by junior Emily Svendson of Crystal Lake, Ill. The assistant stage managers are freshman Calirose DiGiuseppe of Portage; junior Tessa Schultz of Grinnell, Iowa; and sophomore Mandy Scott of Newberry.
The cast includes sophomore Kira Alsum of Grand Rapids; sophomore Emilie Bickel of Denver, Colo.; junior Austen Boer of Holland; sophomore Ellie Campbell of Barrington, Ill.; sophomore Kenny Cole of Jenison; senior Alexa Duimstra of Appleton, Wis.; junior Jared Duimstra of Appleton, Wis.; senior Lauren Ezzo of Haslett; sophomore Emma Fondell of Wilmette, Ill.; sophomore Maria Gowon of Abuja, Nigeria; junior John Haga of Rochester; faculty member David James of Holland; junior Taylor Ann Krahn of Mishawaka, Ind.; Junior Josh McCammon of Ann Arbor; sophomore Mollie Murk of Crystal Lake, Ill.; sophomore Cameron Pratt of Zeeland; sophomore Nick Richardson of Ann Arbor; freshman Laura Schmidt of Yorktown, Ind.; freshman Logan Tomeszewski of Grand Rapids; freshman Sean Zorn of Clinton Township; and sophomore Theodora Zucker of Lake Orion.
Tickets for “As You Like It” are $10 for regular admission, $7 for senior citizens and Hope College faculty and staff, $5 for children 18 and younger and Hope students, and are available at the ticket offices in the main lobby of the DeVos Fieldhouse, 222 Fairbanks Ave. and the Events and Conferences Office located downtown in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center, 100 E. Eighth St. Both offices are open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are also available online at tickets.hope.edu/ticketing/ or by calling (616) 395-7890.
The DeWitt Center is located at 141 E. 12th St., facing Columbia Avenue at 12th Street.