SHAKESPEARE'S LOVE AND LYRICISM WITH '60s BEAT (PLAY REVIEW)

Four hundred years after Shakespeare's plays were first performed, the challenge of new productions is to engage audiences bred in a culture of 30-minute sitcoms and a language become increasingly abbreviated, choked with lyric-less acronyms. In setting "As You Like It" in the 1960s, director Dr. Donald Schulte has carved historical and intellectual pathways into this comedy's rich vocal interplay. But amid the bell-bottomed jeans, Afro hairstyles and Dylan music breathes a lively, entertaining production of Shakespeare.

"As You Like It" opens tonight and continues Saturday, March 2, 3 and 4 at the Forrest H. Rose Theatre. All curtains are at 8 p.m. Additional performances will be provided for regional high school groups at 10 a.m. Monday and Tuesday. Interpretation for people with hearing impairments will be provided at the performance March 3.

Be prepared. This "As You Like It" presents a wrestling match that could have been choreographed by the Undertaker and a gold-bedecked, smooth-talking courtier named LeBeau (Roman Smith) right out of "Superfly." Designer/technical director Dennis C. Seyer's hanging garden set and mottled lighting makes the Forest of Arden look like a place where these and other magical things like falling in love could happen.

As the lovers Rosalind and Orlando, Rachel Roberts and Steve Ruppel could charm the leaves off the Forest of Arden. As trippy as the language is, they woo as much with looks.

To be safe in the forest, Rosalind spends much of the play in boy's garb, a parallel to the feminist rebellion against traditional female roles in the 1960s. Roberts' comic timing and her instincts are exquisite, her male posturing subtly hilarious.

Ruppel has the distinctive voice and the bearing to do Shakespeare exceptionally well. Here he shows he could also have a future in the WWF.

As Celia, Rosalind's cousin, University Players newcomer Tonya Lynn is spry and wonderful.

Amiens (Laura Huusko) sings and a minstrel (Sven Rainey) plays the guitar in the hippie commune that is Duke Senior's Camp. Faculty member Dr. Robert Dillon Jr. plays the role of Duke Senior with rakish good humor, while the assurance of Kathryn Waterhout's acting makes the cynical Jaques seem reasoned.

The irrepressible David P. Schneider makes the fast-talking fool Touchstone memorable.

Head costumer Megwyn Sanders' has captured the self-expression that went into hippie uniforms of the day and does an appealing turn in the earth goddess role she seems to have specialized in at Southeast, this time as Audrey, the goat-keeper. Todd Masterson plays both William, a simpleton in love with Audrey, and Charles, Orlando's opponent on the mat.

Liz Schumaker nearly steals the show as the exuberantly fickle shepherdess Phoebe. Her swain, Silvius (Alex Seiler) doesn't have a chance.

Shawn Stutts plays Oliver, Orlando's initially vengeful elder brother, with fire and finally compassion.

Bart Elfrink is fine as the villainous Duke Frederick. Sean Kruchoski plays Adam, Orlando's elderly servant.

Also appearing in the production are Gelanie Lockhart, Brian Hendricks, Dax Miller, Regina Hagen, Holly Raines, Rebecca Morgan and Daniel Campisi.

The stage manager is Christopher Dick, and the assistant director is Sue Johnson.