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A little taste of dystopia
Shakespeare in Clark Park presents As You Like It
![All 4 performers outside in a park smiling and laughing, looking towards Kanu’s character. Lindner holds a mandolin](https://img.broadstreetreview.com/content/uploads/As-You-Like-It-BSR-7-23-24.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.1238&fp-y=0.4961&h=169&q=80&w=300&s=9e2dfbf51d0570820ea09b92f7a0c864)
It’s summer in the city, and you know what that means. Shakespeare in Clark Park, Philly’s perennial purveyor of outdoor Shakespeare, is returning to the Clark Park “bowl” with their annual free production from July 24-28, 2024. Like many of their offerings, it’s a classic with a twist: As You Like It, transposed to Delaware in the near future, circa 2034.
The future right around the corner
Directed by Ontaria Kim Wilson, a graduate student at Temple University’s School of Theater, this As You Like It looks 10 years on to explore the play’s themes of exile, love, and community in the aftermath of our current political moment. To Wilson, the play’s hints of dystopia seemed to resonate with our modern tensions, what with its tyrannical duke who banishes those he deems a threat, and the exiles in the forest who must hide their true identities to survive.
“When revisiting the play, I realized that there was a parallel to our current political and social climate layered on top of the ever-present theme of love,” says Wilson. “I also realized that community and the fight for our liberties were present throughout as well. Shakespeare was clearly onto something, and I don’t think he realized he’d reach into the now of 2024.”
The production features a mix of professional actors and community performers, as well as a host of contributions from Philadelphia-based writers and artists. Local composer and community music leader Pax Ressler composes an original anthem for the play, and the opening and closing nights will feature pre-show poetry shares developed from local community workshops led by resident teaching artist Warren Longmire. It’s an approach that aims to center the voices in our communities, to speak to the kinds of systems in which we hope to live.
“I wondered what our country would look like 10 years from now if we continue to give way to systems that are not loving, diverse, and truly for the people,” says Spencer. “I also thought of the beautiful communities that embrace humanity, otherness, love, diversity, equity, inclusion, and unity, where everyone is free to exist and live abundantly.”
Shakespeare in Clark Park’s As You Like It runs July 24-28, 2024, with pre-show poetry shares on July 24 and July 28. As always, audiences are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs and enjoy a picnic before the show.
What, When, Where
As You Like It. By William Shakespeare, directed by Ontaria Kim Wilson. Free. July 24-28, 2024, at Clark Park, 4300-4398 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia. (215) 764-5345 or shakespeareinclarkpark.org.
Accessibility
Clark Park is an outdoor venue. The show takes place on the grass, and audiences must navigate a low hill for seating close to the performance. There are portable restrooms onsite. Patrons with specific accessibility questions may contact [email protected].
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