Notes from the Director:
Two years ago we started on a journey set to the outstanding music of the Electric Light Orchestra; Xanadu. The set before you was originally designed and built with roller skates in mind. When the world shut down on Friday March 13, 2020, I never thought I would get the chance to see this design under stagelights. As we traversed the following year of virtual classes, and even a virtual production (26 Pebbles), the days of live productions slowly became dreams of a time long since past. Through the perseverence of the Performing Arts Department and the support of Mr. Conley, As She Likes It came to the forefront as a new beginning for our stage and our Theatre program.
As She Likes It is a piece about strength and power! The women of Shakespeare's plays have banded together to tell their stories. In a world filled with male dominance onstage, these shining forces take us on a series of adventures that look at the world and examine the nature of man and the strength of women to persevere. Each character explores their own lived experiences and shares with the audience their own take on the stories and themes that the have been shoved into by perhaps the greatest storyteller of all time, William Shakespeare. "Why do we make decisions because of the men in our lives?" "How would our lives have been if we were born men?" "Why won't he listen to me?" "What is love?" These questions, and more, resonate throughout.
This production marks a bitter-sweet time in my career. After two years since our last staged production, we are finally re-opening the theater and welcoming a live audience back into our house! This isn't without an air of sadness, however. Over the last two years I have watched too many students graduate from our program without having their final moments in the limelight.
This production is for all of you!!!
- Timothy LaBelle
