Flathead offers one of Shakespeare's lighter stories
A fern grows on the blackened soil created by from last year's Robert Fire in the North Fork of the Flathead. Dave Reese/Daily Inter Lake
The Flathead High School Theatre Department presentd William Shakespeare's comedy "As You Like It" November 2, 4, 5 and 6 in the David M. Hashley Theatre.
"As You Like It" opens with the strange courtship of Rosalind and Orlando. But after a violent conflict with his brother, Orlando flees to the forest, and Rosalind is suddenly banished from the court.
With her cousin Celia Rosalind sets off for the Forest of Arden, where by chance she discovers Orlando, the man of her dreams. However, there is a small catch: to ensure safe travel Rosalind has disguised herself as a boyish young man.
"The main characters end up in the Forest of Arden, where life becomes more hopeful and filled with love," said director Valeri McGarvey. "The couples eventually find each other through trial and error, and the play ends with a beautiful wedding dance attended by all who have fled to the forest."
"As You Like It" explores the mysteries of love in all its forms and the magic of attraction.
"This play has it all: young love, old love, masters and servants, cousins, brothers in conflict, difficult love, instant love, and abiding love," McGarvey said. "We have tried to focus on the many different ways love expresses itself."
This production of "As You Like It" is full of reminders of the changing seasons to complement the many seasons of love that humans experience. To accentuate the changing seasons theme, Vivaldi's composition, "The Four Seasons" is used throughout the production.
The show is also marked by special musical interludes using live music on stage with singers and guitar players performing the original words from Shakespeare's play set to music by the Resident Composer of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Todd Barton.
To create the golden atmosphere of the Forest of Arden the Flathead Theatre Arts class created a 14-foot tree complete with a canopy that will be transformed to reflect fall, winter and summer.
The cast includes Cameron Maxwell, Erin McGarvey, Elizabeth Harball, Katrina Kimmel, Jeremy Adams, Zeb Matteson, Aaron Rold, Seth Pleasants, Benjamin Clanton, David Brabham, Joe Drury, Kelly Ruby, Ryan Shearer, Alex Cox, Kim Cowan, Scott Davis, Marilyn Bennett, Peter Rasmussen and Chelsea Eickert.
The music ensemble includes Aaron Rold, Seth Pleasants, Cameron Maxwell, Zeb Matteson, Brandon Jones, Adam Finch, Kiel Fauske, Kacie West, Hannah See, Kadie Zimmerman, Tabitha Spencer, Sam Clanton, Amy Thompson and Nathan Brown.
Behind the scenes, Kelsey Steinbeck, Tiffany Zellmer, Evan Tice, Wes Hilton, Brittni West, Julie Robertson and Laramy Applekamp make up the stage, sound and lighting crew.
Performances begin at 7 p.m. with jugglers entertaining the crowd before the play.
Tickets are available at Herberger's and the school's main office. Prices are $6 for adults and $5 for children, students and seniors.
Here are three photographs for the FHS production of "As You Like It"
Pictured are Erin McGarvey who plays Celia and Elizabeth Harball who plays Rosalind
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