Riverside Shakespeare Theater Company Presents 'As You Like It'

Riverside Shakespeare Theatre Company returns to with As You Like It. 

"We picked it because it's a light-hearted comedy," said Chris Ferguson, Executive Director of Riverside Shakespeare Theater Company.  "We stick to the comedies. We haven't gone into the tragedies or the dramas quite yet. St. Louis () was doing Othello, which is a heavier drama." 

The performance is free and will run June 21-23, 29, 30. Showtime is 8 p.m. with an opening act at 7:30 p.m. A matinee performance will be July 1 at 2 p.m., with an opening act at 1:30 p.m. 

The company has done a comedy during the past four seasons, starting with A Comedy of Errors in 2007, The Taming of the Shrew in 2008, The Tempest in 2009, A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2010, and Much Ado About Nothing in 2011. 

Each year the board of directors puts out a call for proposals from directors and chooses both the director and show at the same time. This year Judy E. Yordon will direct. Ferguson said Yordon has a traditional vision for the show. 

"What you're going to get is very traditional As You Like It set in the Shakespearean period, not in modern time," he said. 

As You Like It is set in 1599 in the Forest of Arden. Four couples court in this play which features women in disguise, dueling brothers, and a professional fool who falls for an ugly goatherd. 

Actress Shannon Burgdorf plays the Audrey the goatherd and is part of the comic relief, along with Touchstone, the fool, who is played by Tom Lehmann, Ferguson said. 

About 2,500 people attended the six shows last year. Ferguson is hoping for similar attendance this year, depending on the weather. 

"We're hoping it's not too hot," he said. "We're starting a little later, we're starting at 8, that'll help with the heat."