See Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’ on stage in Waitsfield, June 26-July 13

June 13, 2025  |  By Waterbury Roundabout

Disinherited Orlando (Aric Brown) wrestles the royal champion (Tye Martin) in a rehearsal for The Valley Players' 'As You Like It,' on stage in Waitsfield, June 26-July 13. Photo by Wayne Fawbush.

The Valley Players present “As You Like It,” by William Shakespeare, June 26-July 13 at the Valley Players Theater in Waitsfield. 

This production marks the first time the Valley Players have produced a play by Shakespeare in their 46-year history. The play will be directed by local playwright and director Jeanne Beckwith from Roxbury.

“As You Like It” is a romantic comedy set in the Forest of Arden, where characters discover love, identity and forgiveness. Rosalind (played by Stefanie Seng of Waterbury), disguised as a boy, flees with her cousin, Celia (played by Kohl Comtess of Montpelier) and Touchstone, the court jester (Susan Loynd of Fayston) to escape her power-hungry aunt, Duchess Fredericka (played by Sarah Storjohann of Barre). In the forest, she encounters her love Orlando (Aric Brown of Middlesex), who loves her in return but doesn’t recognize Rosiland in her disguise. 

The story weaves together comedic misunderstandings, philosophical musings, and a love triangle, culminating in reconciliations, revealed identities, and multiple weddings, celebrating love’s transformative power and the joy of self-discovery. 

Other cast members include Paul Cavaliere, from Montpelier, as Orlando’s jealous brother, Oliver; Cynthia Seckler of Fayston plays Ada, Orlando’s faithful servant; Lee Chasen from Hinesburg is Duke Senior, Rosalind’s exiled father; Fred Patchen from Winooski is cast as Jaques, a melancholy poet who lives in the woods; Bob Carmody of Charlotte plays Corin, a shepherd; Warren’s Tye Martin is Silvius the shepherd and Charles the wrestler; cast member Azalea Hudson of is Phoebe, who loves Rosalind in her disguise as a youth; Marci Robinson from Warren plays Audrey, who falls in love with Touchstone; AJ Brooks, also from Warren, plays William, a rival for Audrey’s affections and other characters. And Marie Schmukal and Sarah McDougal, both from Warren, and Mary Scripps of Charlotte play courtiers in exile with the duke, pages, and singers.

Shows are on weekends, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and at 4 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets: $14 for seniors age 60+ and for kids age 12 and younger; $18 for age 13 and up. Purchase in advance online at theaterengine.com. The Valley Players Theater is on Vermont Route 100 (4254 Main St.) in Waitsfield. Find more show and Valley Players information at valleyplayers.com.

Silvius (Tye Martin) pleads his love to a disdainful Phoebe (Azalea Hudson) as a curious Celia (Kohl Comtess) and Rosalind (Stefanie Seng) in a rehearsal for "As You Like It,' by The Valley Players. Photo by Wayne Fawbush.

Orlando (Aric Brown) gets lessons in 'wooing' from Rosalind (Stefanie Seng) who is in a male disguise in a rehearsal for 'As You Like It,' June 26-July 13 at the Valley Players Theater in Waitsfield. Photo by Wayne Fawbush.