Give Me Some Food

Did high school Shakespeare bore you to tears? Have you written off the Bard forever? I have an event for you!

Go See Shakespeare's As You Like It at Calshakes in Orinda. It's fun. It's bawdy. It's hot.  I saw it last night with my advanced theater class and it was the most enjoyable theater experience I've had in a long time. The production is simply gorgeous- even if you don't understand one word, the whole production is fois gras for the eyes, so you'll be entertained. And don't worry about understanding the language- this cast does an amazing job. You know how many actors have their "Shakespeare voice" that sounds stuffy and royal and faintly British? This production keeps that voice to a minimum and most of the lines sound like the characters are thinking them presently. Just like Shakespeare should be...

Now, if you are thinking, "well, I've already seen As You Like It, I don't need to see it again...", you're wrong. You do need to see this production. I understood more metaphor and poetry from this production than any other Shakespeare I've seen.  There are so many bold choices, and amazing acting moments. For instance- usually Orlando is played as a Midsummer's lover; kind of a pretty boy like Demetrius.  In this Calshakes production, Stephen Baker-Turner has a new take on Orlando that is a more blue-collar, wild-west approach. It works better than I've ever seen- and his relationship with Rosalind/Ganymede is hot.  Don't miss it.

Bruns Theater is outside, so dress warmly. And if you need transportation- there is a shuttle service from the Orinda BART station.