Last night of a classic play nears

  • 2016-01-09
Soon it will be the last chance this season for Arlington theater buffs to see a truly modern take on Shakespeare’s classic comedy ‘As You Like It’.

The production will not have dialog and is not recommended for children, as there will be mature themes.

The play follows the traditional story of the resourceful and witty Rosalind and her cousin Celia who are forced from their upper class life style into unfamiliar back streets of society. Here, our heroine encounters her heartthrob Orlando who does not recognize her because she is disguised as a man named Ganymede. Confusion ensues in the city of Arden, although all works out in the end.

This production, however, depicts the story through a series of modern dance, raw action scenes, and antics reminiscent of Cirque de Soleil. The theater promises that the original music and visual imagery will be memorable.

Director/Adaptor Paata Tsikurishvili, choreographer Irina Tsikurishvili, and fight choreographer Ben Cunis have replaced the poetic language of Shakespeare with action-packed wordless scenes. The lighting will be stark and vibrant, adding to the tension provided by the pounding rhythms of drums and dance.

This final performance will be 2:00 pm, Sunday, January 17, 2016 at the Synetic Theater at Crystal City, 1800 South Bell St., Arlington. The cost will range from $20 to $60 depending on seating.