Folger’s “As You Like It” Gives Shakespeare Local Spirit

Now on stage at the Folger Theatre, a production of “As You Like It” trades pastoral fantasy for something closer to home. Set in a framework that mirrors DC’s often split personality (buttoned-up power center versus neighborhood communities), the show, directed by Timothy Douglas and envisioned by Karen Ann Daniels, aims to make Shakespeare feel immediate and local.

In brief: Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” forces Rosalind and her cousin Celia out of a corrupt court to take refuge in the Forest of Arden, where they adopt disguises and build new lives. In this more relaxed setting, relationships shift, identities are tested, and multiple love stories unfold before order is eventually restored.

It’s one of the Bard’s most beloved plays, and this inside-the-Beltway reimagining has a straightforward concept: The rigid royal court resembles DC’s political machinery, while the Forest of Arden becomes a stand-in for the city’s neighborhoods.

The cast does solid, consistent work across the board. Tsilala Brock’s Rosalind carries the production with confidence; she handles both the character’s emotional arc and the gender-disguise comedy cleanly, without overplaying either. Sabrina Lynne Sawyer’s Celia is a steady counterpart, and their almost-sisterly dynamic feels believable.

Manu Kumasi gives his Orlando an understated sincerity that works well in this setting (avoiding the tendency to make the character overly heroic). John Sygar — making a most musical Folger debut! — adds both whimsy and heart. But truly, it is Ahmad Kamal’s fool, Touchstone, that brings this play’s undeniable spark (and dare we say, steals the show)!

Despite the disguises, “As You Like It” is not an overcomplicated play, and the DC framing adds context without overshadowing Shakespeare’s text. Not every moment lands; Some scenes in the forest lose momentum, but the production remains engaging.

Overall, this “As You Like It” is accessible, thoughtfully staged, and suffused with local spirit. It may not radically change how you see Shakespeare, but it definitely offers a version that feels connected to the city and its local community. A worthy endeavor.

“As You Like It” runs through April 12, 2026, at the Folger Shakespeare Library.