As You Like It is a pastoral comedy by Willam Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 and first performed in 1603.   Over the centuries this popular stage play has been performed globally and adapted multiple times for radio, film, and musical theatre. 

The Mackinaw City Area Arts Council (MCAAC) is proud to once again bring the Shakespeare-based theatrical magic of the Starling Shakespeare Company to Mackinaw City, MI this summer.

Love is the central theme of As You Like It.  Following this traditional theme, it weaves a tale of love manifested in its varied forms and follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle’s court, accompanied by her cousin Celia to find safety and, eventually, love, in the Forest of Arden. In the forest, they encounter a variety of memorable characters, notably the melancholy traveller Jaques who speaks many of Shakespeare’s most famous speeches (such as “All the world is a stage”, “too much of a good thing” and “A fool! A fool! I met a fool in the forest”). Jaques provides a sharp contrast to the other characters in the play, always observing and disputing the hardships of life in the country.

This is usually performed by a large cast armed with elaborate sets and costuming.  However, the creativity and talents of the Starling Shakespeare Company have adapted and transformed all these theatrical elements into a quintessential subset that allows them to magically transform any outdoor space into a theater while armed only with a cast of five flexible actors and a minimal, yet effective, set of props, costumes, and scenery.   The result is a rapidly changing, multi-faceted, captivating piece of stagecraft suitable for all ages.   

Please join us August 10th, 2023 at 6:00pm at Conkling Heritage Park. 

In the event of inclement weather, the performance will be on August 17th.

Conkling Heritage Park (335 S Huron Ave) consists of a broad marina green next to the state marina with a bandshell where free performances are held throughout the warmer months.   Seating is on the lawn so bring a blanket or folding chair and settle in for an enchanting, imaginative performance of As You Like It.