American Players Theatre: As You Like It
Emma Schuld, Samantha Newcomb, and Josh Krause
American Players Theatre Presents AS YOU LIKE IT Review - A Rom Com Walk Through the Forest
TLDR: American Players Theatre’s production of As You Like It will please fans of traditional takes on Shakespeare’s works and those who are fans of his romantic comedies. We’re taken through the character’s one on one scenes where we see their relationships building and changing.
Sola Thompson, Samantha Newcomb, and Elizabeth Ledo
All of Shakespeare Rolled Into One
We enter a royal coronation with every member of the court in attendance and dressed in their finest splendor. A duke has been overthrown and his brother assumes the crown. The scene transforms from the royal court as the fine rugs and tapestries are taken away leaving the large set of stairs covered in bright green astroturf before us. Now it feels like we could be in front of rolling green hills as the breeze gently sways in the trees behind the stage.
As our runaways of the court, those thrown out and those who decided to also leave, enter the Forest of Arden, they come traipsing through the far side aisle entrances of the Hill Theatre. It’s almost as if they’ve trekked through the forest and finally reached a clearing. It’s here that many relationships will be discovered, some will grow, and others change throughout the course of the night.
As You Like It has themes and storylines that we see in later plays of Shakespeare. The play itself feels like a working ground for A Midsummer Night’s Dream as we enter a forest, Twelfth Night as women dress up like men, A Comedy of Errors with mistaken identities, and The Winter’s Tale as children find their parents again. We see these woven throughout the play until it all comes together in a nice, neat bow.
Pairs of Twos
As You Like It is formulaic with its scenes as we get one character pair on stage at a time. We get to know about their relationship and then the pair heads offstage. A little bit later we see them again with a new development before they run off again while another couple comes back in. As we rotate through the characters it almost feels like a comedic chase scene as the camera cuts in between each couple and their night in the woods.
But director Laura Rook has honed in on small moments between characters so it’s not all a rush. Elizabeth Ledo as the court fool, Touchstone, and David Daniel as Jacques with a penchant for melancholy, play off each other as they enjoy waxing philosophically at each other. The pure joy between Rosalind and Celia as they squeal about Rosalind being in love. The fighting between Oliver (Rasell Holt) and Orlando (Derrick Moore) plays like brothers who are all grown up but can't help but default back to their bickering and sibling rivalry. These relatable little moments make our characters more human in As You Like It.
The cast of As You Like It
The After Party Thoughts
As someone who hasn’t had a chance to see As You Like It performed live before, American Players Theatre’s production is a fine place to start. It captures the essence of Shakespeare, the costumes are lovely, the performances have enthusiasm, and the set hits the pastoral vibes. The play itself didn’t speak to me personally, but if As You Like It is one of your favorite Shakespeare plays or perhaps if you're just in the mood for one of his romantic comedies, this production would be a good fit for you!
RECOMMENDED
Samantha Newcomb and the cast of As You Like It
When
Now through October 4, 2026
Where
American Players Theatre
5950 Golf Course Rd.
Spring Green, WI 53588
Runtime: 2hrs 55min, including an intermission
Tickets
$78+
Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 608-588-2361 or through the American Players Theatre website
Photos
Michael Brosilow
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
CAST
Sola Thompson (Celia)
Samantha Newcomb (Rosalind)
Elizabeth Ledo (Touchstone)
Derrick Moore (Orlando)
James Ridge (Adam)
Rasell Holt (Oliver)
Joe Meyer (Dennis)
Sam Luis Massaro (Charles)
Triney Sandoval (Le Beau)
Gavin Lawrence (Duke Frederick)
David Alan Anderson (Duke Senior)
Tim Gittings (Amiens)
David Daniel (Jaques)
Nate Burger (Corin)
Josh Krause (Silvius)
Hannah Ruwe (Audrey)
Byron Johnson (Sir Oliver Mar-text)
Emma Schuld (Phoebe)
Ray Huth (William)
Jonathan Gardner (Jaques de Boys)
Leslie Brott (Hisperia / Hymen; Ensemble)
Elleon Dobias (Musician; Ensemble)
Donio (Ensemble)
Jamey Feshold (Ensemble)
Kayla Mariah Fifer (Ensemble)
Jamie Herb (Ensemble)
Elijah Quigley (Ensemble)
Lillian Quigley (Ensemble)
The cast of As You Like It
CREATIVE
William Shakespeare (Playwright)
Laura Rook (Director)
Adrianne Moore (Voice & Text Coach)
Le'Mil Eiland (Assistant Director)
Rachel Anne Healy (Costume & Puppet Designer)
Lawrence E. Moten III (Co-Scenic Designer)
Daniel Allen (Co-Scenic Designer)
Michael A. Peterson (Lighting Designer)
Becca Broh (Choreographer)
Andrew Hansen (Music Composition & Sound Designer)
Jeb Burris (Intimacy, Movement & Fight Director)
Logan Benson (Assistant Costume Designer)
Camela Widad (Music Director)
Rivka Kelly (Stage Manager)
Jalon Payton (Assistant Stage Manager)