Shakespeare Program 2018

Synopses
Not familiar with the story? Reading this will help you understand the Bard!
As You Like It—Orlando, the youngest son of the recently-deceased Sir Roland de Boys (that's really his
name), is harshly treated by his eldest brother, Oliver. Knowing that Orlando has decided to challenge Charles, the
court wrestler, to a fight, Oliver tells Charles to injure Orlando if possible. Duke Frederick has recently deposed his
brother, Duke Senior, as head of the court, but allowed Senior's daughter, Rosalind, to remain in residence. She
and Celia, the Duke's daughter, watch the wrestling competition. During the match, Rosalind falls in love with
Orlando who is victorious in overthrowing Charles. Rosalind boldly gives Orlando a chain to wear; in turn, he is
overcome with love.
Shortly after, Orlando is warned of his brother's plot against him, and seeks refuge in the Forest of
Arden. At the same time, and seemingly without cause, Duke Frederick banishes Rosalind, compelling her to seek
shelter in the Forest of Arden. Celia joins her, and they both disguise themselves: Rosalind as the young man
Ganymede, and Celia as his shepherdess sister Aliena. Touchstone, the court fool, also goes with them. In the
Forest of Arden, the weary cousins happen upon Silvius, a lovesick shepherd in the act of declaring his feelings for
Phoebe, a scornful shepherdess. Not far away, and unaware of the newcomers, Duke Senior is living a simple
outdoor life with his fellow exiled courtiers and huntsmen. Their merriments are interrupted by the arrival of
Orlando, who seeks nourishment for himself and his servant. The two men are welcomed by the outlaw courtiers.
Ganymede and Aliena find verses addressed to Rosalind hung on the forest branches by Orlando.
After finding him, Ganymede proposes to cure Orlando of his love by persuading him to woo Ganymede as if he
were Rosalind (even though "he" really is . . . Rosalind). Orlando consents, and visits Ganymede/Rosalind every
day for his lessons. The shepherdess Phoebe, in the meantime, has fallen for Ganymede, while still being pursued
by Silvius. Furthermore, Touchstone has dazzled a country girl, Audrey, with his courtly manners so that she
deserts her young suitor, William, for him. Duke Frederick, after hearing that Orlando disappeared at the same
time as Rosalind and Celia, orders Oliver to go to the forest to seek Orlando. While in the forest, Orlando injures
his arm saving Oliver's life. Oliver runs into Ganymede and Aliena in the forest and relates this news. Rosalind
(disguised as Ganymede) is overcome with her feelings for Orlando, while Celia (disguised as Aliena) and Oliver
quickly fall in love with one another. Rosalind decides that it is time to end her game with Orlando, and devises a
plan in which everyone will get married.
As Ganymede, Rosalind promises Phoebe that they will marry, Celia will marry Oliver, Touchstone will
marry Audrey, and Orlando will marry Rosalind. She makes Phoebe promise that if they, for some reason, don't
get married, Phoebe will marry Silvius instead (a strange agreement!). On the day of the wedding, Rosalind
reappears in her female clothes. Duke Senior gives her away to Orlando, while Phoebe accepts Silvius. The play
ends with a joyful dance to celebrate the four marriages.
Romeo & Juliet—The play is set in Verona, Italy, at a time when a long standing feud between two families -
the Montagues and the Capulets - constantly breaks out into brawling on the streets. Prince Escalus, the leader of
the City of Verona, threatens terrible punishment on anyone who takes part in further violence.
Romeo Montague is hopelessly in love with Rosaline and, in an attempt to cure his lovesick misery, his
friends persuade him to go disguised to a party at the home of his family's sworn enemies, the Capulets. Romeo
reluctantly agrees to go when he learns that Rosaline has been invited. However, at the party, he meets Juliet,
only daughter of Capulet, and they fall instantly in love. Juliet's hot-headed cousin, Tybalt, has spotted Romeo and
his friends but is prevented from challenging them by Juliet’s mother Capulet. She does not wish to see her party
disrupted.
Juliet's mother has told Juliet that Paris, a suitable young nobleman (who is also at the party) has
asked her for permission to marry Juliet. However both Romeo and Juliet are determined to marry, and choose
go-betweens to help them arrange a secret wedding. Romeo asks his friend and mentor, Friar Laurence, to
conduct the ceremony, while Juliet sends her nurse to meet Romeo and learn the arrangements he has made.
Friar Lawrence agrees to marry them, believing that such a marriage might end the ancient feud. As arranged,
Romeo meets the Nurse, who is instructed to make sure that Juliet arrives at the Friar's the following morning
ready to be married.
After his secret marriage to Juliet, Romeo encounters her cousin, Tybalt, who challenges him to a duel.
Romeo is unwilling to fight with him for Juliet's sake, but his friend, Mercutio takes up the challenge instead. When
Romeo steps between them in an effort to stop the fight, Mercutio is stabbed to death. Romeo then kills Tybalt in a
rage and is forced to fly the scene. Angry that his laws have been broken, but accepting that Tybalt started the
fight, the Prince banishes Romeo to Mantua. Romeo is distraught and runs to the Friar for advice and help.
Alone in her room on her wedding night, Juliet, unaware of the death of her cousin or her new
husband's banishment, eagerly awaits Romeo's arrival. When she learns what has happened, Juliet is so
distraught that the Nurse promises to arrange one night together for the newly-weds before Romeo must leave
Verona. The following morning at dawn, the couple part sadly, promising each other that they will find a way to be
together forever. Juliet's mother suggests Juliet should marry Paris immediately. When Juliet refuses, her mother
threatens to disown and abandon her, so Juliet too seeks advice from the Friar. Realizing that she is so desperate
that she might commit suicide, the Friar advises her to go home and make peace with her mother. He gives her a
potion that will make it appear that she has died in her sleep. He explains that the effects will wear off within 42
hours, by which time she will be buried in her family's crypt. He promises to send a letter to Romeo immediately,
explaining the situation and asking him to return in time to be with Juliet when she awakes. Juliet takes the potion
and is discovered 'dead' when her nurse and mother try to wake her for her marriage to Paris. Her 'corpse' is then
taken to the crypt where it is laid beside that of Tybalt. Continued on Romeo & Juliet Cast List Page.