As You Like It (2005)
Written by William ShakespeareDirected by Mark Lamos
As You Like It was the first production in The Public's year-long 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Rosalind, the brilliantly smart and cultured princess is banished by the usurping Duke Frederick. Disguised as a boy Rosalind flees, with her strong-willed cousin Celia and Touchstone the clown, to the Forest of Arden. Orlando, younger brother of Duke Frederick's associate Oliver and beloved of Rosalind, also escapes into the forest. He is welcomed into the camp of Duke Senior, Rosalind's father, who has set up a makeshift court there with some loyal men. A series of romances ensue between the residents of the forest. Rosalind, in the guise of the boy Ganymede, talks to Orlando about his love for her, Celia, also in disguise as Aliena, falls in love with Oliver, who has come into the forest after his brother, Touchstone woos a Audrey, a country wench, and Silvius the shepherd dotes on Phebe, who has fallen madly in love with Rosalind's male alter ego. At the wedding of Aliena (Celia) and Oliver, Celia and Rosalind reveal their true identities and all of the lovers are married. The evil Duke Frederick is reformed, and those who were banished to the forest are restored to their rightful places.