Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Sanford H. Calhoun High School On Tour Company opened its 2025-26 season with its production of “As You Like It” on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25, marking the first two performances of the fall play.
The show, directed by James Crichton, offered a contemporary interpretation of the Shakespearean comedy, placing the story in early 20th-century New England during the rise of American industrialization. The setting reimagines the Forest of Arden as the wooded edges of the Adirondacks, where those seeking meaning escape the pressures of an encroaching industrial world.
The cast features Kara Dobbs as Rosalind, Holly Henrickson as Celia, Evan Leicht as Orlando, and Carlos Miranda-Perez as Touchstone, among a wide ensemble of Calhoun student performers. The company’s approach emphasizes transformation and self-discovery, ideas reflected both in the script and the updated setting.
The performance space itself contributed to the atmosphere, with the audience seated very close to stage and near the actors. This intimate configuration allowed viewers to watch the story unfold only a few feet away, heightening emotional moments and comic exchanges alike.
Behind the scenes, the production was supported by a detailed creative effort. Nick Giordano served as technical director and designer for sets and lighting, Lydia Gladstone designed the costumes, and Tony Melfa handled sound. Original music composed by junior Jake Schwartz added another distinctive layer to the staging.
