Steadstyle Chicago
	February 2008 Theatre Review by Joe Stead
	Looking for a Ticket Broker? Check out the hottest broadway tickets from Gotickets.com As You Like It Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** (Pictured Left) Tracy Michelle Arnold, Carey Cannon and Marcus Truschinski; (Right) Truschinski and Larry Yando in Writers Theatre's production of "As You Like It".  Photos by Michael Brosilow. Think William Shakespeare is dry and boring?  Boy, do I have the production to prove you wrong!  Writers Theatre is offering a production of the Bard's romantic comedy "As You Like It" that I could list as one of the top ten most delightful Shakespearean stagings I have ever seen.  A better compliment I can't think of to honor Director William Brown's completely refreshing and thoroughly entertaining endeavor. How many actors could wring as much humor out of a line like "Ay, now I am in Arden" like Ross Lehman, perhaps the most naturally funny person in Chicago or anywhere else?  And while some ham actors can chew the scenery mercilessly with the melancholy Jaques' soliloquy "All the World's a Stage," watch the subtle intensity and clarity of the brilliant actor Larry Yando's direct and mesmerizing rendition.  This production should be required viewing for every young actor (and I've witnessed my share) intent on performing Shakespeare.  Director Brown's choices are surprisingly contemporary, crystal clear and on the mark.  Shoot, even the pre-show plea to turn off cell phones and unwrap candy is a scream. Rachel Anne Healy's costume designs anchor the production in modern day, while Keith Pitts' war-torn Forest of Arden set suggests the ruins of a once beautiful mansion now overgrown with weeds and moss.  The sound of a helicopter flying overhead sends our company of outcast refugees running for cover at several points, the notable exception being Yando's Jaques, who brings a contemplative stillness to end Act One. Shakespeare's gender-bender gets a nice boost from the smoky-voiced Tracy Michelle Arnold, whose resourceful and no-nonsense Rosalind brings to mind some of the qualities of the great Katharine Hepburn in her prime.  Marcus Truschinski likewise makes a highly engaging Chicago debut as her confused young suitor Orlando.  Yando and Lehman are both in a class of their own among Chicago's A-list actors.  You'll only have until March 23 to sample Lehman's comedic piece d' resistance, but fear not.  Director Brown, himself a highly touted Chicago thespian, steps in to finish the run as Touchstone, which should prove reason enough for opening nighters to make a return pilgrimage to Arden. Eric Parks supplies yet another hilarious dual turn, first as the tattoed court wrestling champ Charles and then as befuddled shepherd Silvius.  Fight Choreographer Kevin Asselin (who also doubles as Oliver and a guitar strumming First Lord) scores high marks for the impressive kick boxing bout between Charles and Orlando, all the more fearsome up close in Writers' intimate Tudor Court space.  Carey Cannon and lovely voiced Carol Kuykendall add to the romantic spice of Shakespeare's comical couplings.  And Andrew Hansen's original music and sound design creates just the right mood for a wintry romance.  As the banished Duke intones, "Sweet are the uses of adversity," although only those adverse to great theatre will want to miss this splendid production.  It's a four star winner! "As You Like It" has been extended through April 20, 2008 at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe.  The play runs 2 hours 40 minutes with intermission.  Performances are Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 4:00 and 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 and 6:00 p.m.  There will be additional weekday matinees on February 27, March 12 and April 9.  There will be no performance on Friday, April 4.  Tickets range from $45 to $58.  Call (847) 242-6000 or visit www.writerstheatre.org.    Don't Wait to Like It Review by Alan Bresloff For those of you who don't stray up near the Cook County/Lake County border and have never had the experience of seeing a Writers Theatre production, I am about to urge you to take the trip.  This is a small, very intimate theater that does marvelous productions on a regular basis. Their current production is William Shakespeare's "As You Like It", a raucous comedy directed by William Brown and featuring some of Chicago's top actors. This comedy features some marvelous music by Andrew Hansen and a simple (but elegant) set by Keith Pitts. One of the famous quotes from this play is " All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players" and do they hold true!  This eloquent speech which also describes the 7 stages of man is quoted by Larry Yando (who himself teaches actors how to do Shakespeare), one of our area's finest actors.  This is a true comedy dealing with love and hate, mistaken identities, illusions and lots of good humor with a very happy ending indeed.  There are brothers who hate each other, cousins who fall in love, and upper class people who fall in love with lower class.  And set in this intimate theater, unlike most of the Shakespeare productions we are used to, we the audience feel as if we are peering into the lives of the characters as eavesdroppers, rather than audience members. In addition to Mr. Yando, we are treated to John Lister as the two Dukes, David Dastmalchian as the Clown, Kevin Asselin (who as fight director stages a wrestling match that will "blow your mind", Tim Gittings, Eric Parks (who plays a wrestler and then comes back to play a love-struck Shepherd, Nancy Moricette, Carol Kuykendall (always a delight), and Carey Cannon.  The always comical Ross Lehman proves what a master he is every time he steps on a stage.  Marcus Truschinski is our Hero, and delightful Tracy Michelle Arnold is Rosalind.  This cast sings, dances, fights and loves and this is probably one of the most enjoyable experiences one can have with attending a Shakespeare play.  Even if you are not a fan of his works, you will absolutely adore this production from start to end.  This theater is very intimate (108 seats) so do not wait on this one!  You will be sorry if you miss this production!