Actors' Theatre at it again

C-bus natives enjoy Shakespeare in the park

The Actors' Theater Company is taking over Schiller Park in the name of Shakespeare once again. This time for the iconic comedy "As You Like It," kicking off 8 p.m. Aug. 6 and running through Sept. 6.

The Actors' Theatre is definitely an expert when it comes to interpreting Shakespeare, with "As You Like It" being their third show of their 28th summer of outdoor productions. But this time they're taking a chance by completely reimagining how they're presenting "As You Like It."

"We're going to be staging it in the style similar to 'Avenue Q,' where life-size puppets will interact with the actors," said John S. Kuhn Actors' Theatre's artistic director. "I thought it would be a fun approach, seeing that it's a comedy."

Kuhn will be teaming up with Beth Kattelman, a local puppet connoisseur, to direct the one-of-a-kind production.

"I don't think anyone has ever done it this way," Kuhn said. "And we're always trying to find ways to make Shakespeare more accessible to a younger audience."

So, why should you take a chance on Shakespeare in the park?

"It's the only place where people can see classical theater for free," Kuhn said. "As a community resource, there's nothing else like this in the central Ohio region."

Click through the gallery to check out some photos of people who attended "The Tempest," thier second production of the summer, which ran at the park July 2 though Aug. 2. Also be sure to read our preview article on The Actors' Theatre summer in the park series and the full Metromix review of "The Tempest." And head back to Metromix Monday for our review of "As You Like It."
—Dwayne Steward, Metromix