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“As You Like It” at Sunset

The poster for the production was designed and painted by one of the cast members, Zia Clocke.

James Farmer, Theatre Director at Sunset High School, is bringing this lesser-known Shakespeare comedy to Sunset’s impressive, 850-seat auditorium on Fridays, November 15 and 22, and Saturdays, November 16 and 23. Doors will open at 7 pm and the audience will be treated to music from some of Sunset’s great performers. The play will start at 7:30.

Farmer, who joined the Sunset faculty six years ago, has acted in Portland Center Stage productions locally, and previously lived and worked in New York City. He enjoys staging large and ambitious works, and he gets amazing performances from his cast and crew.

The live band is onstage throughout the play.

He says, “As You Like It features one of Shakespeare's most famous speeches—‘All the world's a stage.’ Our version incorporates a live band made up of our very own Sunset HS students.”

The plot finds Rosalind, disguised as a young man, escaping from the royal court to live in the Forest of Arden. Her lover, Orlando, has also fled from the court to the forest, and through a series of misadventures and misunderstandings, the two eventually get together.

Farmer says, “Rosalind has to teach Orlando to be a man. Escaping to the forest, away from the stifling life of the court, allows the characters to be themselves.” He says the early work on the play involved making sure that all the actors understand the meaning of their lines, behind the sometime-difficult Shakespearian language. “We start working on the play while we are blocking (working out the movements and positions of the actors on stage).”

Cast members hold the "rope" for the fight scene

During a rehearsal, it was obvious that almost all the young actors were taking their parts seriously. They were in character even during pauses while Farmer worked with someone else. He works gently and patiently with each actor so they “get” what they are supposed to be portraying.

Sets and lighting are coordinated by Technical Director Richard Allen, a professional who volunteers his time to work with the student productions. Complex and impressionistic sets with back-projected images provide the atmosphere.

All seats are general admission. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students 18 and under, and are available through seatyourself.biz/shstheatre or at the ticket office 1/2 hour before the performance.

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