Review: AS YOU LIKE IT Is the Right Amount of a Good Thing

One of the least talked about and yet most wonderful things about our area is the Alabama School of Fine Arts, situated in downtown Birmingham. It boasts the beautiful Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre. Although I have been to this theatre several times, today was the first time to be in the building during a school day and in the theatre to see the kids from ASFA perform.

William Shakespeare's AS YOU LIKE IT is their offering this weekend and I was lucky enough to see it with some of the student body. It made it even more fun to be there while school mates of the cast enthusiastically enjoyed the production.

I never saw a program, so I cannot name the director, choreographer or anyone else associated with the production. There were many standouts in the cast, but I can't give you the actors' names here which is disappointing all around.

With efficient and visually pleasing set pieces, students who know how to project in a good sized venue and lots of youthful energy, AS YOU LIKE IT is a fast paced, funny play that will keep you intrigued throughout. The big wedding scene at the end is really fun to watch.

As with most of Shakespeare's work, you might find yourself lost at times. AS YOU LIKE IT is definitely a comedy that keeps moving around and introducing new characters. I promise if you will just hang in there the long build up ends with a big payoff.

The stage combat is well choreographed and realistic in feel. The staging took advantage of the entire theatre space which was nice and the costumes for the most part are lovely. The lighting is good, except that I wish the evening scene was a little darker and had more of a difference from the daytime scenes. The campfire in the scene had a realistic look to it from my seat, but needed more darkness to get the full effect.

With showings this weekend, Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 and Sunday, May 15 at 2:30, you have the perfect opportunity to check out this beautiful facility and brush up on some Shakespeare. You won't soon get the opportunity to see such good work for only $10 a ticket, while supporting one of the true jewels of our area.

To order tickets go to djdtheatre.org or just show up at the door. It is well worth your time and will have you laughing.

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