By Jason Cunningham
William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It has long been disputed as either a brilliant work or as one of mediocrity by critics. Given the dispute over the material, it’s presumable that any production of this play would be done with the upmost effort and class. However, this wasn’t the case for the CCSU Theatre Department’s take on the piece.
The performance started slightly late and rather rough. The combination of cheesy music selection and weak performances resulted in some actors struggling not to burst out into laughter. Sloppy entrances and exists didn’t help their cause either. Riddled throughout were moments where voices could either barely be heard or were projected to the height of a shout.
It’s hard to tell who was less enthusiastic about being in the Black Box Theatre during last Wednesday’s performance, the half-sleeping audience members or the under-rehearsed cast members. Many wouldn’t expect much from, say, a high school’s crappy production of As You Like It, but at the college level you’d at least expect it to keep the attention of those who paid to see it.
When someone attends a performance they expect to be entertained. Sitting in a room for two hours when almost nobody in the room looks happy to be there is an arduous task. The situation becomes all the worse when most of the actors themselves lack any ounce of passion for their craft. Almost anyone can memorize lines and spew them out, that takes minimal effort on the part of an actor. The real challenge lies within making a character believable. It would’ve been acceptable for most of the cast to overact their parts just to add a spark of life to the dull pain of lifeless scene after lifeless scene.
This isn’t to say that some actors didn’t shine bright above the rest. Talent was certainly displayed in Maloney Hall that night. Those who took their work on this production seriously were far above adequate. Ben McLaughlin’s depiction of the court fool Touchstone was intellectual and fun, carrying (literally at one point) other cast members through scenes with a witty delivery and animated strength that was almost unmatched by the rest of the cast. Nearly as good was Kimberley Carvalho, who excelled masterfully as both Duke Frederick and Duke Senior. Not only did she make both roles hers, but she did so in a manner that was memorable, displaying maturity as an artist.
One actor in particular stole the show. Though her part was one of the smaller speaking roles, Ashley Carvalho provided a major presence as the shepherdess Phebe, often times looking as if she’d crawl out of her skin while humorously adding life to As You Like It‘s final stretch. Her face’s effortless twitches and contortions added a beam of a light to the barely illuminating energy of the bulk of the cast. Mike DiChello also did well in his minor role as Charles, adding one of the few fun moments of the performance during a hysterically choreographed wrestling match. Professor Ken Mooney also provided much needed relief with his performance as Jacques.
The costumes where fitting, the lighting and set were perfect for the space, creating an enchanting atmosphere as simplistically as possible. The direction by Sheila Siragusa wouldn’t have seemed so shabby had she had more to work with. It seems as if several last minute emergency rehearsals may have exceptionally improved the performance.
Perhaps past plays put on by the CCSU Theatre Department, such as last Spring’s Waiting for Lefty, left higher expectations than reasonable for these young actors. Maybe seriously performing one of Shakespeare’s less cherished works was difficult for these students, caring less about their obligations to the play during the rush of a busy semester. As You Like It had its highlights without ever fully redeeming itself, leaving the more talented actors on-stage to lead their seriously inferior counterparts like children.
