VSU Presents Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” Nov. 7-13

A rollicking romantic comedy set in the Forest of Arden, “As You Like It” explores the true nature of love and the often rocky road to romance with a witty and mischievous heroine seeking to capture the heart of her beloved. By the end of the play, she not only wins her beloved but also successfully orchestrates four marriages and proves that love is a source of incomparable delight. The play features some of Shakespeare’s most famous quotations, including "all the world’s a stage" and "too much of a good thing." With its pastoral setting and humorous devices of mistaken identity and missed opportunities, “As You Like It” promises to be delightful entertainment for all. — Synopsis provided by Valdosta State University Theatre and Dance.

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University Theatre and Dance will kick off a seven-performance run of William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Thursday, Nov.7, on the Sawyer Theatre stage.

“Though initially the play seems to have a serious tone with the banishment and exile of major characters, there is soon much merriment in the mistaken identities, the band of merry men and women in the Forest of Arden, and the finding and losing of lovers,” shared Jacque Wheeler, director and chairwoman of VSU’s Theatre and Dance Area, in her director’s notes. “There is also significant music. If Shakespeare could be said to have written a musical, it would be ‘As You Like It.’ With song and dance called for in the text, the Forest of Arden becomes increasingly lively.”

A pastoral comedy, “As You Like It” is believed to have been written in 1599 or early 1600 and first published in what scholars refer to as the First Folio in 1623. The play is considered by many to be one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies.

“The Theatre and Dance Area is committed to offering performance opportunities to our students and audience members that explore different production styles and diverse time periods,” Wheeler explained. “Our production of ‘As You Like It’ speaks to that commitment. The exploration of Shakespeare’s fertile language provides ample opportunity for our actors and audience to discover how other cultures communicated. Before television, media, and Netflix, there was significant value placed on conversation, argument, and wit. It is a pleasure to lead our students as they experience the fun to be had in this Shakespearean frolic, learning that people have the same emotions no matter what words they choose and how they choose to put those words together. All the world has the same stage.”

Additional performances of “As You Like It” are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, and Saturday, Nov. 9; 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10; and 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, Tuesday, Nov. 12, and Wednesday, Nov. 13. There will be one 15-minute intermission. 

Individual tickets are $12 plus tax for adults, $10 plus tax for senior citizens, $8 plus tax for children and non-VSU students, and free for all VSU students with a valid university identification card. They are $7 plus tax for groups of 10 or more at a single performance.

All individual tickets and season memberships will incur a 25-cent processing fee. 

Tickets may be purchased by calling the VSU Theatre and Dance Box Office at (229) 333-5973 between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Sawyer Theatre stage is located on the first floor of the Fine Arts Building, at the intersection of Brookwood Drive and Oak Street.

Contact Jacque Wheeler at (229) 333-5820 or jwheeler@valdosta.edu to learn more.

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities.

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals:

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