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University Theatre Presents ‘As You Like It'

April 17, 2009 | The University of Wisconsin-River Falls theatre department will present its last play of the academic year, “As You Like It,” which opens on April 30, and runs May 1, 2, 7, 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Blanche Davis Theatre in the Kleinpell Fine Arts building. There will be a matinee with limited seating May 6 at 9:30 a.m.

This play is a testimonial to the transformative power of love and the endurance of the human spirit. It examines the cruelties and corruption of court life and gleefully pokes holes in one of humankind's greatest artifices: the conventions of romantic love. “It is easy to understand and very joyous,” said Meg Swanson, director and theater professor.

The show is a romantic comedy. “It is my personal feeling that every student should experience Shakespeare at least once in their life, whether it's participating or watching,” said Swanson.

This will be a highly accessible production presented by a lively and talented young cast of actors drawn from diverse university departments, said Swanson. “The actors in this play are terrific and they work very well together.”

For ticket information contact the University Box Office at 715-425-3114. The box office is open weekdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and an hour prior to performances. Tickets are $5 for students/seniors and $8 for adults.

Photo cutline: L to R: Some of the cast in the University Theatre production of “As You Like It” include Al Broeffle, from Cloquet, Minn., who plays Orlando; Tori Ruckle, from Cottage Grove, Minn., who plays Rosalind; David Frank, from Deer Park , who plays Touchstone; Abigail Bennett, from Duluth, Minn., who plays a Duke Senior's musicians; Jenika Boersma, of Eagan, Minn ., who plays a Duke Senior's musicians; Beth Van Kampen, from St. Paul , who plays a Duke Senior's musician.

The cast includes:

Rosalind – Tori Ruckle, a social work major from Cottage Grove, Minn.
Orlando – Al Broeffle, a theatre arts major from Cloquet, Minn.
Celia – Maddie Weber, a theatre arts major from Edgerton
Oliver – Danny Vopava, an English major from New Brighton, Minn.
Phebe – Krissie Weckman, a theatre arts major from Shakopee, Minn.
Silvius – Dan Risinger, an English major from Roseville, Minn.
Audrey – Angel Brelie, a theatre arts major from Mora, Minn.
Hymen – Maggie Myre, a pre-professional major from Marine On Saint Croix, Minn.
Jacques – Justin Delong, an English major from River Falls
Touchstone –David Frank, a mathematics major from Deer Park
Duke Frederick – Michael Butt, a theatre arts major from Elmwood, WI
Duke Senior – Michael Norman, a retired journalism professor, from River Falls
Old Adam – Dick Beckham, a retired English professor, from River Falls
Charles the wrestler – Eric Holmes, a marketing communications major from Lakeland, Minn.
Corin – Kai Abrahamson, a theatre arts major from New Richmond
Oliver Martext – Amanda Luke, a theatre arts major from Forest Lake, Minn.
LeBeau – Matt Mobley, a theatre arts major from Woodbury, Minn.

Duke Frederick's Men

First Lord – Jimmie Davis, a theatre arts major from Baldwin
Second Lord – Ben Tatro, a theatre arts major from Stillwater, Minn.
Third Lord – Jon Lyksett, a broad field social studies major from Cottage Grove, Minn.
Dennis -- Colin Janilla, an art major from Stillwater, Minn.

Duke Senior's Men

First Lord – Chris McDougal, a theatre arts major from Maple Grove, Minn.
Second Lord – James Zappa, a theatre arts major from Maplewood, Minn.
Third Lord – Logan Arnesona, theatre arts major from Bloomer

Duke Senior's Musicians (and courtiers)

Amiens – TBA
Jenika Boersma – Flute, singer, a pre-professional major from Eagan, Minn.
Abigail Bennett – singer, tambo, a theatre arts major from Duluth, Minn.
Beth Van Kampen – guitarist, singer, a psychology major from St. Paul, Minn.

Set and lighting design:

UWRF alumnus Eric Paulson, technical director at the Great River Shakespeare Festival
Kate Peterson, a music education – BME major from Milaca, Minn. is musical director.

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Last updated: Thursday, 22-Apr-2010 16:09:35 CDT