The production features several Chicago Shakespeare veterans, including Kate Fry as Rosalind, the banished duke's daughter forced to disguise herself as a boy in the Forest of Arden; Chaon Cross as her cousin, Celia; Matt Schwader as her beloved, Orlando; Phillip James Brannon as the jester Touchstone; Ross Lehman as the melancholy Jacques; and Kevin Gudahl as Duke Senior.
Additional CST vets in the cast include Patrick Clear as Corin, Matt DeCaro as Duke Frederick, Dennis Kelly as Adam, Elizabeth Ledo as Phoebe, Jeff Parker as Oliver and Steve Haggard as Silvius. Hillary Clemens as Audrey, Nathan Hosner as Charles/William, Andrew Mueller as Amiens, Andrew Neiman as Le Beau, Mark Richard as First Lord, Austin Talley as Second Lord, Steve Wojtas as Jaques de Boys and ensemble members Josh Doucette and David Schlumpf.
The production team features scenic designer Kevin Depinet, costume designer Mara Blumenfeld, lighting designer Christopher Akerlind and sound designers Ray Nardelli and Joshua Horvath. Composer Jenny Giering (the musicals Princess Caraboo and The Mistress Cycle) contributes music to the production.
Griffin's Broadway credits include The Color Purple and The Apple Tree. He is a Jeff Award winner for his CST productions of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music and Pacific Overtures; the latter was staged in London's West End and received three Olivier Awards, including Outstanding Musical Production. Additional New York credits include Saved (Playwrights Horizons), A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Encores!) and Beautiful Thing (Cherry Lane Theatre).
According to CST notes, "Shakespeare's As You Like It reveals a world where courtiers, clowns, philosophers and provincials alike struggle to define their identities and discover love. The young Rosalind, Celia and Orlando flee a hostile Court for the idyllic Forest of Arden, where their romantic adventures lead them to question who they are—and ultimately find the love they seek." Chicago Shakespeare Theater is located at 800 East Grand Avenue on Navy Pier in Chicago. For tickets, call (312) 595-5600 or visit chicagoshakes.com.
