Page 8- The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, April 7, 1992 Shakespeare just as you like him Butts on 4.. stage -a As You Like It, dir. Jerald Schweibert Trueblood Theatre April 4, 1992 The partying on South U wasn't te only great thing going on Saturday night. As part of the com- egy semester a magnificent produc- tion of Shakespeare's As You Like It Theater review was performed by the University 4yers at the Trueblood Theatre. Director Jerald Schweibert, a profes- sor in the theater department, de- scribes the story as "a tale of spring- time and love - a celebration of Eros." It's a perfect show for the season. The story revolves around two pairs of feuding brothers. "The play is similar in many ways to King Lear and the conflict between Edmund and his brother Edgar," says Schwei- bert. '"And, as in Lear, we're presented with a family in crisis, a rebellious daughter, and the threat of banish- ment. But As You Like It is a com- edy, and this comedy begins the mo- ment we enter the Forest. The power of the pristine wilderness changes people." Everything about this production was strong. All the performances were great. It's difficult to single out certain individuals - they were all convincing and endearing in their roles - but the strongest links in the play lay in the interaction between Rosalind (Erin Dilly) and Celia (Gwendolyn S. Grote). The scenes between these two characters were charming and funny; some uninhibited "girl talk" was at the core, and the audience hung on every word and reaction. The play, was presented in-the- round. The actors faced all directions and moved around without the hin- drance of a "fourth wall." This gave 'As You Like It is a struggle between the natural and the artificial ... While the play holds a resemblance to daily life, it does not seem to be governed by the rules of cause and effect.' -Jerald Schweibert, Director the play a sense of naturalness ideal for the Forest of Arden setting. The play denied the often painful over- theater for children a Rosalind (Erin Dilly) and Celia (Gwendolyn S. Grote) share a tender moment in the University Players' production of Shakespeare's As You Like It, running through Sunday at the Trueblood.. staging given to many Shake- spearean productions. One of the most important factors determining the success or failure of a Shakespearean production is the pace. Saturday's performance was quick and lively, with short transi- tions between scenes to keep the au- dience interested. Much credit goes to Schweibert, who not only directed flawlessly, but also researched thor- oughly, making the entire show seamless. Michael Moore's costumes were well-designed; the scenery purposely varied from minimal to nothing in order to, in Schweibert's words, "place the emphasis on the poetry of the language in the play." It worked. "As You Like It is a struggle be- tween the natural and the artificial," says Schweibert. "The play offers an escape from the usual elements of everyday life. While the play holds a resemblance to daily life, it does not seem to be governed by the rules of cause and effect." "The thinking behind As You Like It is based more on intuition and the synchronicity of events than on the cold logic of ordinary reality. This play is really about the magic of life and the human spirit," Schweibert concludes. There's one more weekend to see an exceptional performance by the University Players. Even if you aren't a Shakespeare fan, you may just be converted by this one. As You Like It will play tomorrow through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sun- day at 2 p.m. at the Trueblood Thea- tre in the Frieze Building. Tickets are $9, $6 students. Call 764-0450 for info. -Jenny McKee by Melissa Rose Bernardo '! ith the frenzy of last-minute term papers and upcoming finals; what's a student to do for fun? Re- live your childhood with the Unia versity Children's Theater, and its performance of The Stories of Dr Seuss. The University Children's Thea- ter was designed to bring entertain- ment to disadvantaged children. It also provides a performance op- portunity for students interested in theater. At the beginning of each term auditions are held; this term's cast is comprised of eight actors, theatre majors like Elizabeth Keiser and non-majors alike. k This semester, the cast members are performing at low-income hous- ing projects, Mott Children's Hospital and inner-city Detroit - a variety of places catering to under- privileged children. The Theater is a non-profit organization, and runs on funds from MSA and the LSA std- dent government. Primarily the goal of the group, as producer Ilana Trachtman explains, is to "do some- thing nice for the kids and to make them smile." One challenge posed to the actoris is financial. Trachtman says that one actor plays many parts and thus must use body and voice to the fullest, since there are no "elaborate sets or 01 *I When asked about the difference in performing children's theater and adult theater, Trachtman referred to the sensitivity children's theater requires. Children are much more impressionable; the group tries to steer clear of violence and depression. props to hide behind." Each actor is forced to compensate for this exter- nal dearth with internal energy and imagination. When asked about the difference in performing children's theater and adult theater, Trachtman referred to the sensitivity children's theater re- quires. Children are much more im- pressionable; the group tries to steer clear of violence and depression. Trachtman adds that overdone costumes or sets would be wasted on children whose attention is directed toward the human sights and sounds of the production. Children laugh at different things than adults do. Kids "always laugh at anything involving butts, because they're still at that stage," Trachtman says. Trachtman hopes the show will appeal to college students as past productions have. The point may be to perform for children, but who wouldn't enjoy watching Horton Hears a Who or The Lorax? Stories is also part of Project Serve, this week's University-spon- sored display of volunteer projects and organizations. THE STORIES OF DR. SEUSS will be performed Tuesday, April 7th at 8 p.m. in room 2518 Frieze Building. Admission is free; anyone is wel- come, and children are encouraged to attend. *I easy when you get out of college. There are the challenges of starting a career, getting settled in a new apartment and doing it all within your budget. So to help you out, we put together them AT&T Moving Ahead Program. 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