Coming this July to Deering Oaks Park, Portland, Maine:

As You Like It

Directed by Kat Moraros

Musical direction by Paul Fidalgo

Escape to the Forest of Arden with us this summer!
From July 10 to August 2, Fenix Theatre Company invites you to experience its 17th annual summer tradition of free Shakespeare in Deering Oaks Park with a high-energy, heart-filled production of Shakespeare's As You Like It. This professional staging of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy is infused with beloved pop songs spanning 6 decades—from the 1960s to the 2010s— adding a fresh, toe-tapping twist to a timeless tale.

As You Like It defies gender roles and expectations, and dares us to imagine a better world: one where empathy leads the way and everyone can find where they truly belong. Bring a blanket, grab your friends, and join us under the trees for a night of Shakespeare like you’ve never seen it before!

July 10 - August 2

Thursday July 10 at 6:30pm

Friday July 11 at 6:30pm

Saturday July 12 at 6:30pm

Thursday July 17 at 6:30pm

Friday July 18 at 6:30pm

Saturday July 19 at 6:30pm

**Wednesday July 23 at 6:30pm**

Thursday July 24 at 6:30pm

Friday July 25 at 6:30pm

***NO SHOW SATURDAY JULY 26***

Thursday July 31 at 6:30pm

Friday August 1 at 6:30pm

Saturday August 2 at 6:30pm

Rain Dates to be added if shows are cancelled due to weather: Sunday July 20 & 27 at 6:30pm

To reduce cost barriers for our community members, we operate on a donate-what-you-can model rather than charging a ticket fee. We gratefully accept cash/check donations in the Park on each show night, or you can donate online at any time using the button below - which will take you to our season fundraising hub. Thank you for your support!

DONATE NOW

FAQ

Meet the Cast

Samuel Cutler (he/him)

Amiens/Audrey/Duke Frederick's "Yes Man"/Musician

Sam is a musician, songwriter and actor who is thrilled to be returning to the stage for the fist time since the start of the pandemic. Previous Shakespeare credits include Prospero and Caliban in The Tempest and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet at Playwrights Horizons Theatre Studio. Film and TV credits include Dorian in An Actor Prepares, Sebastian in Irrefutable Proof, and Himself in the documentary Better to Live. Endless love and thanks to the encouragement and support from his friends, his family, and his beautiful Mia.

Paul Fidalgo (he/him)

Duke Frederick/Jaques/Musician & Music Director

In an age long past, when the world was young, Paul spent a decade as a professional stage actor and musician, with five years in repertory with the American Shakespeare Center in Virginia, where he also served as music director and composer for several productions. He last performed with Fenix as Boyet, Holofernes, and Longaville in Love’s Labor’s Lost, for which he also wrote two original songs, and as Sir Andrew in Twelfth Night. He has recently played Barrymore in I Hate Hamlet, Pirelli in Sweeney Todd, and Eric in The Humans at Schoolhouse Arts, and directed nine productions for the UNE Players. Paul holds a master’s degree in political management from George Washington University, and he is the father of two incredibly dangerous and amazing offspring. Find more music by Paul at youtube.com/paulfidalgo.

J.Will Fritz (he/him)

Touchstone

Fritz is so thrilled to be in his first production with Fenix Theatre. After moving to the Portland area from Kansas City last summer, you may have caught him as Cuddy Banks in Witch at Mad Horse Theatre Company or as Lurvy in Charlotte’s Web with Royal River Players. Other favorite roles of his include Cassius in Julius Caesar, Barry Glickman in The Prom, Charles Wilcox in The Inheritance Parts I & II, Oliver River in Puffs, Peter Rabbit in Peter Rabbit and many more. He would like to thank his partner, Bo for his unwavering support and love. Enjoy the show!

Becca Gracey (she/her)

Adam/Phoebe/Musician

Becca Gracey moved to Maine last summer and is delighted to perform at Fenix. Most recently she played The White Witch in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe at Portland Players. Past credits include Elizabeth Bennet (Pride & Prejudice), Olympia (Big Love), Calpurnia (Julius Caesar). Film/TV: Little Women, Billions, Modern Love. Training: BS in Theater from Skidmore College, Summer Training Intensive at Shakespeare & Company.

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Jonas Maines (he/him)

Charles the Wrestler/Silvius/Duke Senior Follower/Musician

Jonas Maines returns to the park for his second Fenix show. He appeared previously as Don Adriano de Armado/Dumaine in last summer's production of Love's Labor's Lost, and has since performed as Clarke in Waterville Opera House's Winter production of The Cottage and as Matthew in Kate Fodor's 100 Saints You Should Know, in special arrangement with the University of Maine at Farmington. Jonas is based in Augusta, and in his spare time enjoys Dungeons & Dragons, and convincing other people to re-watch The Lord of the Rings (this is your reminder to re-watch The Lord of the Rings).

Jonas would like to thank his enchanting partner Sarah for her support, and the exceedingly talented artists who lent their passion and skill to this production (This is your second reminder to re-watch The Lord of the Rings).

Luke Myers (he/him)

Oliver/Duke Senior Follower/Musician

Luke is delighted to return to the park this summer, last seen as Berowne in Fenix's Love's Labor's Lost. Recent Maine credits include Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play at Penobscot Theatre Company, and a preview of his upcoming interactive shadow puppet play A Cry for Kelp at Mayo Street Arts's annual puppet slam. California credits include PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre, SLO Rep, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Berkeley Playhouse, Shotgun Players, Poltergeist Theatre, and Capital Stage; Minnesota credits include Full Circle Theatre and Open Eye Figure Theatre. Luke produces biennially with the global initiative "Climate Change Theatre Action". Training: UMN/Guthrie BFA, PCPA Conservatory. www.lkmyers.com

Prophett (he/they)

Orlando

Prophett is so grateful to be a part of Fenix for the first time! He has recently been seen on stage and off all around Maine! Recent credits include Pete the Cat, Corduroy, and Knuffle Bunny (Maddy’s Theatre), Into The Woods (Sound Engineer, Portland Players), Every Brilliant Thing (Props Designer, The Public Theatre, Lewiston ME), and on screen in Clandestine and Astral Airways (Resurgam Productions). Prophett is so thrilled to share this tale with you all, one that is so close to the stories we are all living today. Proph would like to thank everyone who helped make this production what it has become. Much love goes out to his mom, dad, sibling MK, and grandparents for supporting his love for theatre his entire life.

Audra Reed (she/her)

Duke Senior/Corin/Musician

Audra studied and pursued acting in NYC and London and taught drama to kids in Bronx public schools before pivoting her focus to practice psychotherapy as an LCPC and parent. In getting back to the stage after a way-too-long hiatus, Audra is overjoyed to make her Fenix and Portland stage debut in the park this summer! This production aligns with Audra’s passions: Shakespeare, nature, music, collective community building and exploring and expressing authentic identity. It has been such a gift to develop As You Like It with so many talented and wholehearted individuals and I am so excited to share it with our audiences! In addition to theatre, Audra is devoted to her kids, pets, homesteading, creative and DIY projects, adventuring near and far and nurturing relationships with friends and family. This show is dedicated to my mom, who celebrates every version of me with unwavering love and acceptance.

Hope Riordan (they/them/theirs)

Rosalind

Hope Riordan is a nonbinary creative based in Portland, Maine. Hope has been a Shakespeare nerd since they were in middle school; forcing their friends to perform murder scenes from Richard III (100% true), and memorizing monologues from Twelfth Night before they went to bed. Hope strives to make their 5th grade self proud and is honored to be able to tell this loudly queer story this year in particular. Some of their favorite projects to work on include Mad Horse Theater Company’s Women Laughing Alone with Salad and Tumacho, as well as Portland Theater Festival’s Wolf Play. They are grateful to be continually accepted into Portland’s theater community of hardworking, collaborative, and kind humans.

Sarabell Wrigley (she/her)

Celia

Regional: I Love You Because (Diana), Spring Awakening (Wendla), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), South Pacific (Liat), Merrily We Roll Along (Meg), Taming of the Shrew (Tranio), Midsummer Night's Dream (Titania). Costume Design and Construction: A Doll's House Part 2 (Berkshire Theatre Award Nominee), Angels in the Park (Dublin Fringe Award Nominee), Boeing Boeing, Exit the King, Adam and Evie, Riverdance. Film/TV: Mandalorian Season 2, Greyhound, Top Gun: Maverick. Love to Phoenix.