The Foodbank Players, a theater company that trafficked in witches, daggers, and a kettle of creepiness in their last production (Macbeth), have pivoted to love, charm, and comedy in As You Like It — perhaps better known as Whimsy in the Woods. This delightful do-gooder troupe, which offers shows for free then collects donations for the Alameda Food Bank, decided to add everything but the kitchen sink to Shakespeare’s story of how Rosalind wooed and wrangled Orlando. In addition to the familiar collection of characters found in the French court, then the forest of Arden, this version includes a deer, a lion, a sonnet-reciting sheep, and the music of John Denver. And it all works wonderfully, really, really wonderfully.
This is the ninth play by the Foodbank Players, and for those who’ve seen all or most of their shows, something special has been happening over the course of that time — they’ve been collecting better and better performers, and making their productions better and better. The leads are fantastic in this summer show. Torey Bookstein brings to Rosalind — the largest female part in the entire canon — courage, cuteness, bravado, and heart, while Cory Kahane plays the tree poet Orlando with strength, tenderness, silliness, and style. They also both sing quite well, adding to their recitation skills the ability to use their voices to move us towards awe.
As You Like It is a couples play, with Kelsey Gores and Paul Bisesi playing Celia and Oliver, cousin and brother to the leads, and while their parts are smaller, their talent and impact is awfully impressive. Moment after moment they share their skills, making us sigh and giggle as they work toward each other. Aaron Bruce and Kate Rockwell play country lovers Silvius and Phoebe with matching adorableness that generates smiles and happy head shakes for all the watchers.
Other outstanding performances by this uniquely strong crew include newcomers Hannah Landau and Maya Rath, who are so good as Charles/Amiens and Duke Senior, while Ronnie Anderson’s Jaques (Mr. All the World’s a Stage) is thoughtfully nutty and ever so witty. Returning to the stage in the Healing Garden are Jenifer Strach as Touchstone, Ben Rings and Karin Jensen sharing the part of Le Beau, Jennifer Morrill as Duke Frederick, Fran Kahane as Adam, and Bill Brobeck as Corin.
One of the joys offered by this repertory company is the opportunity to see actors grow and stretch from one play to another. The regulars noted above have stepped up their game in this really strong production. They people the space with affable affectations and help make Arden magical. Earning special praise (and a fresh carrot) is Kristina Buendia, who plays Sophie the Sheep. Those who know the play may be unfamiliar with this baah-ing character,, who makes a special guest appearance, frolicking about the forest and twice delivering Shakespeare’s famous 14-line poems.
As You Like It is presented in alley staging that invites the audience into the forest. The trees are clever and helpful, the costumes wonderful and ridiculous, and for those of a certain age, the songs of John Denver spark memories of when we were young and beautifully foolishly in love. As for the deer and lion, sometimes there are no words, just giggles and guffaws.
See As You Like It on July 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 2 p.m. in the Healing Garden, 1435 Webster Street, free of charge, full of joy, and with an opportunity to help others by donating to the Food Bank. For more information, visit the Foodbank Players website, Facebook page, and their Instagram page, @thefoodbankpalyers.
Gene Kahane is the founder of the Foodbank Players, a lifelong teacher, and former Poet Laureate for the City of Alameda. Reach him at [email protected]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Gene-Kahane.
