Artsopolis: All Arts. Online. Anytime.

• Official Website

As You Like It

San Jose Repertory Theatre

August 29-September 27, 2009

Avg. Event Rating (3.7 Stars): Add Review/Comment

One of Shakespeare’s most sophisticated and bewitching comedies is full of many of his most memorable characters including the sardonic and lustful clown Touchstone, the melancholy philosopher Jacques, the love besotted Orlando and the Bard’s most brilliant and provocative heroine, Rosalind. To teach the man she desires how to love a woman, Rosalind must first disguise herself, and in the end changes the entire world around her. Artistic Director Rick Lombardo’s inaugural production will emphasize the transformative power of romantic love and nature’s force to heal the scars of political and technological oppression. The journey into the magical Forest of Arden – first touched by death and decay in late fall and then exploding with renewed color and life in spring – is itself a tale of the “ages of man.”

• At-a-Glance
• Member Reviews
• What's Nearby

• Ticket Info

  Tickets: $18-$52

  Info Phone: 408-367-7255

  Buy tickets

• Dates & Times

  Dates:
  August 29-September 27, 2009

  Times:
  Tues-Fri: 8pm
  Wed: 12pm
  Sat: 3pm, 8pm
  Sun: 2pm, 7pm

• Venue Info

  San Jose Repertory Theatre

  101 Paseo de San Antonio San Jose, CA 95113-2603

  Full map and directions

• Accessibility Info

  • Wheelchair Access
  • Assisted Listening System

• NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However it's a good idea to visit the official website or call the venue to verify the information.

• Member Reviews

  Add review/comment

  • Event Name: As You Like It
    "Moments of greatness, but slightly inconsistent."
    Review posted by: Cheryl B. from San Jose, CA, Sep 27, 2009
    

    I didn't expect to like the concept (in fact, I had a hard time beforehand figuring out what it was), but I actually really enjoyed it. There were also some phenomenal performances, notably from... Expand

    I didn't expect to like the concept (in fact, I had a hard time beforehand figuring out what it was), but I actually really enjoyed it. There were also some phenomenal performances, notably from Jaques/Adam and Silvius, respectively. The Dukes/Corin and Rosalind were also strong. But, I felt that it took almost an hour to get into the actual emotional meat of the play, likely because the actor who played Celia left me cold (I got little love and devotion to Rosalind from her, she just seemed constantly irritated) and the actor who played Orlando kept the stakes nap-inducingly low until the second act (he did grow on me later). Touchstone was fun, but his Audrey played her part as two dimensional at best (delightful, however, as Amiens). She was nothing, though, to the atrociously awful, painfully amateurish Phebe. I certainly enjoyed myself, but at the Rep, especially for Shakespeare, I expect performances to be unilateraly solid, and some of these missed the mark. Collapse

  • Event Name: As You Like It
    "Beautifully realized production that does Shakespeare Proud"
    Review posted by: Theatre Professor from Los Gatos, CA USA, Sep 20, 2009
    

    This production is inventive and spectacular storytelling. The play that Shakespeare wrote over 400 years ago is not sacrificed and all of the actors integrate the language and the concept... Expand

    This production is inventive and spectacular storytelling. The play that Shakespeare wrote over 400 years ago is not sacrificed and all of the actors integrate the language and the concept beautifully. This is the way Shakespeare should be done in 2009! I sat next to a young lady who thoroughly enjoyed it and more importantly, was drawn into the dilemnas of the characters. The magical moment of The Seven Ages of Man was true genius. The high-tech setting worked. Go see this production and bring the kids!I am looking forward to more from Rick Lombardi. I have avoided the Rep for years and am hopefully that this is a renaissance for that company. Collapse

  • Event Name: As You Like It
    "Shakespeareless"
    Review posted by: Dan from Palo Alto, Sep 04, 2009
    

    All the high tech screens, the southern accents, the pretty songs, and the token gay actor,and the hamming of Nixon and John Wayne; all the ipods and leaves falling ....all the attempts by the... Expand

    All the high tech screens, the southern accents, the pretty songs, and the token gay actor,and the hamming of Nixon and John Wayne; all the ipods and leaves falling ....all the attempts by the director to be politically correct and contemporary....all this CUTENESS doth not a Shakespeare play make. In the end there is only chaos; there is no inspiration at all in the audience to celebrate the true victory of this play which is the joy of a love story- a union finally of happy marriages. We end up exausted with all the gimmicks and strutting -and could care less. So typical of directors trying too hard and missing the soul of the play. Collapse

  • Event Name: As You Like It
    "Modern Archetypes for your pleasure"
    Review posted by: Shakespeare Junkie from San Jose, CA, Sep 04, 2009
    

    Gotta luv Shakespeare with cell phones, iPods, and Ultimate Fighting. The ever-changing high-def digital set was overwhelmingly wonderful. Steve Irish as Touchstone was as versatile and entertaining... Expand

    Gotta luv Shakespeare with cell phones, iPods, and Ultimate Fighting. The ever-changing high-def digital set was overwhelmingly wonderful. Steve Irish as Touchstone was as versatile and entertaining as Robin Williams would've been in the role. The show's most poignant moment comes when James Carpenter as Jacques does the "All the world's a stage" monologue; his transformation while describing the seven ages of man is theater magic you will not soon forget. If you like seeing Shakespeare transported to other places and times, don't miss Orlando using Post-it Notes for his love poems to Rosalind. Thank you, (new artistic) director Rick Lombardo! Collapse

  • Event Name: As You Like It
    "Must See"
    Review posted by: ruth from Morgan Hill, Aug 30, 2009
    

    Rosalind and Touchstone were just fabulous and my favorite characters in this performance held in San Jose. The digital backdrops and light direction was so fun!!

    Rosalind and Touchstone were just fabulous and my favorite characters in this performance held in San Jose. The digital backdrops and light direction was so fun!!

  View all reviews/comments for this event

  View reviews/comments for past events