Plot Summary

As You Like It begins by laying out two sets of conflict between brothers. First, we meet Orlando, the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys, an ally of the former Duke. We learn that after the death of his father, Orlando’s older brother, Oliver, has not provided him with his proper inheritance, preventing him from advancing as a gentleman. Meanwhile, Duke Senior has been usurped by his younger brother, the new Duke Frederick, and is living in exile with a band of lords in the Forest of Arden. Duke Senior’s daughter, Rosalind, still lives at the court, company to her cousin and confidant, Celia. While Rosalind bemoans her sorrow over her father’s banishment, Touchstone, the clown, enters to tell the ladies about a wrestling match. Orlando has come to fight Duke Frederick’s star wrestler, Charles, unaware that Oliver has asked Charles to destroy him. However, Orlando prevails, and in doing so, meets Rosalind. The two fall instantly in love— but Duke Frederick, sensing Rosalind’s growing popularity with the people, decides to banish her. Rosalind and Celia run away to find Duke Senior in the forest, with Celia disguised as a poor maiden named Aliena, and Rosalind disguised as a boy named Ganymede. Meanwhile, frustrated that his plan with Charles the wrestler did not work, Oliver once again plots against Orlando. When he learns of this plan, Orlando must also run off to the forest, now lovesick for Rosalind. When the two encounter each other, and a cast of colorful country characters, they must navigate not only their new love, new setting, and new friends, but also the little detail that Rosalind is disguised as a man. When, how, and if she’ll reveal her true self to Orlando and her father, and whether the Dukedom will be restored to its rightful ruler, all remains to be seen in this delightful comedy by William Shakespeare.

Special thanks to our sponsors for this performance: Ripon College, Mackinac Island Community Foundation, Kilwins of Mackinac Island, Mackinac Arts Council, Cannonball Oasis, Mike Kennedy Carving, and Mackinac Island Pizza Company (a Grand Hotel restaurant)

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