In the News: "As You Like It" on tap at NHS

Portland’s cityscape is the background to this year’s Shakespeare production of the Newberg High School theater department. “As You Like It” takes place in the Rose City with the Portland Saturday Market standing in for the Forest of Arden.
The heroine Rosalind, played by Lauren Haney, takes refuge in the forest disguised as a man after her uncle Duke Frederick banishes her from his court. Along with her travel the duke’s daughter (her best friend), Celia, played by Mary Weaver, and the court jester, Touchstone, played by Conner Rogers.
Duke Frederick usurped power from his older brother Duke Senior, who took refuge in the forest as well. Both characters are played by senior Josh Hanney.
Theater teacher Drea Ferguson said she chose to cast him for both roles “because it’s a challenge for the kid to do it.” In one scene Hanney is the cold-hearted, evil Duke Frederick; in the next he’s the studly Duke Senior gallivant-ing in the forest’s Bohemian scene.
Haney said this is her first crack at a romantic role and that she has enjoyed it enormously. Along with Weaver and Rogers, the trio, which are friends on and off stage, spent quite a bit of time developing their characters. Rogers has to do some physical comedy and he said it took him a while to understand Touchstone well enough to understand how to move on stage. While Haney and Weaver have both acted in Shakespeare before, this is his first role written by the Bard and he has relied on their experience to learn his role.
The play opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Shows are also at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and April 28, 29, and 30. Cost is $8 for general admission and $4 for students and seniors.

Laurent Bonczijk, the Newberg Graphic