Two River Theater Company to Stage AS YOU LIKE IT, 1/25-2/16

Two River Theater Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, continues its 2013/2014 Season with Shakespeare's romantic comedy As You Like it, directed by Michael Sexton (Two River's Henry V), the Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Society in New York. Performances will begin in Two River's Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, on Saturday, January 25, with the opening night on Friday, January 31 at 8pm. The production must close on Sunday, February 16. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org. The lead production sponsor is Monmouth University.

Shakespeare's comedy of cross-dressing heroines and triumphant heroes stars Miriam A. Hyman as Rosalind and Jacob Fishel (returning to Two River after his highly acclaimed performance as Henry V last season) as Orlando. As the characters of the play move from the constrained world of the Duke's court into the Forest of Arden, they must learn to confront their own fears and limitations-and surrender to romance. Sexton's production will showcase the transformative abilities of The Acting Company, who will also perform original songs composed by Ben Toth (Sleepless in Seattle at the Pasadena Playhouse) live on stage.

The cast also includes Matt Bittner (First Lord/Silvius), Leighton Bryan (Le Beau/Phoebe), Ben Diskant (Oliver/William), Philip Goodwin (Duke Frederick/Duke Senior), Geoffrey Owens (Jacques), Myra Lucretia Taylor (Adam/Audrey), Brendan Titley (Touchstone), Sara Topham (Celia/Sir Oliver Martext), and J.D. Webster (Charles/Amiens/Corin/Hymen).

The creative team includes scenic designer Brett J. Banakis; costume designer Tilly Grimes; lighting designer Seth Reiser; sound designer Brandon Wolcott; music director Sarah Taylor Ellis; vocal coach Deborah Hecht; and fight director J. Steven White. The casting is by Samantha Barrie, CSA and the stage manager is Terri K. Kohler.

"I first thought of As You Like It for this season as a great play for Michael Sexton and Jacob Fishel, who collaborated so beautifully last year on our production of Henry V. And, I wanted to bring our audiences a romantic comedy and a bit of lightness," says Artistic Director John Dias. "With our new A Little Shakespeare program and the breadth of events we are offering through Inside Two River, we affirm our commitment to foster a love for Shakespeare among all audiences. My grand ambition is to have some Shakespeare resonating in every corner of our theater and to get everyone in our community turned on to the thrill of his exquisite language."

Ticket prices range from $37 to $65, with discounts available for groups, seniors, and U.S. military personnel, their families, and veterans. A limited number of $20 tickets are available for every performance; $20 tickets may be partial view. Tickets for patrons under 30 are $24 and include the best available seats at every performance. Tickets are available from tworivertheater.org or 732.345.1400.

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