Aptly Titled

After a step backward last year with a disappointing “Hamlet,” the Ojai Shakespeare Festival is on surer ground with its romping “As You Like It,” directed by Paul Backer, which concludes its run this weekend at the Libbey Bowl.

As its title suggests, the comedy is a real crowd-pleaser, full of famous speeches you know (“If music is the food of love, play on”) and references you may not have identified with the Bard: This is where Wall Street found the name “Motley Fool.”

Shakespeare wrote well for women (or for boys portraying women), and this comedy had plenty of fine roles spanning the social class structure, with women eventually triumphing over the menfolk--the clever Rosalind (Jaye Hersh), who directs Orlando’s (Christopher Jones) puppy love into something more meaningful by disguising herself as a man; her cousin, Celia (Sarah P. Meaney), who marries Orlando’s brother and eventually repentant bad boy Oliver (Robert Sabotka); Phebe (Rebecca Stier), who thwarts, then marries the shepherd Silvius (Timothy Moore); and goatherd Audrey (Debbie Court), who lands the jester Touchstone (Doug Friedlander).

Saturday night’s audience responded heartily to several individual scenes, including the wrestling match between Charles (Vince Ugolini) and Orlando; Jaques’ (Bruce Liberty) “All the world’s a stage . . . “ speech; and Hersh’s portrayal of a woman imitating a man who--in one hilarious scene--imitates a woman.

And there’s plenty of music, supplied by two a cappella chorales, bringing the running time to more than three hours (bring cushions--the seats aren’t getting any softer) but surely adds to the entertainment value. A note of commendation, too, to Elina Katsioula’s handsome and impressionistic stage set.

Earlier in the day, members of the festival’s apprentice program perform an abridged “Love’s Labours Lost”; between the shows, minstrels and other diversions can be found in the park, and food and (nonalcoholic) refreshments are available.

DETAILS

The Ojai Shakespeare Festival continues through Sunday at Libbey Bowl on Ojai Avenue in downtown Ojai. “As You Like It” will be performed tonight through Sunday at 7:30 p.m., with an abbreviated youth performance of “Love’s Labours Lost” at 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets for “As You Like It” are $13 to $18, under 12 free; those for “Love’s Labours Lost” are $7, under 5 free. Food, drink and ancillary entertainment available. For reservations or further information, call 646-9455.

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TENNESSEE IN LOVE: Joe Besecker’s “Tennessee in the Summer” attempts to explain a difficult subject: the playwright Tennessee Williams. Now playing at Theatre on Main in Ventura, it’s a fascinating work but is assuredly not for everyone and will be best appreciated by Williams fans.

Jack Heller, the company’s co-founder and artistic director, re-creates the role of Williams, which he played last year in Los Angeles. The playwright sits in his apartment-studio, surrounded (as Besecker puts it) by “nothing but the air of decaying paper.”

He carries on--or dreams--conversations with characters, including members of his family, his longtime secretary-companion, Frankie Merlo, and a character identified only as “Woman” (Claudia Stedelin), who represents Williams’ highly pronounced feminine side.

As Williams confronts these ghosts, insight is often provided into his plays, particularly his most clearly autobiographical, “The Glass Menagerie.”

To Williams fans, or those vaguely aware but eager to learn more, this is interesting stuff; most of the references will be lost on others. Then there’s the issue of Williams’ homosexuality, which is dealt with very frankly and somewhat graphically here: If you can’t take the sight of two men kissing, do yourself a favor and stay home.

In addition to Heller and Stedelin, the cast includes Louise Robbins-Davis and Robert Standley, each playing three roles. All but Robbins-Davis are members of Actors’ Equity, and she has numerous professional credits, including last year’s L.A. production of this play. Director Elina deSantos’ credits include numerous productions with Los Angeles’ Odyssey Theatre.

The individual performances were fine at Friday’s opening, although the ensemble should--and probably will--improve further into the run.

Theatre on Main opened this year with the stated goal of bringing professional theater to Ventura. This is its third production, and it is attracting impressive audiences. Although there’s often other excellent theater to be seen throughout the county, this group is certainly worthy of attention.

DETAILS

“Tennessee in the Summer” continues Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Sept. 5 at Theatre on Main, 516 E. Main St. (upstairs, in the Odd Fellows Temple) in Ventura. This show is not recommended for children or those offended by sexual frankness. Tickets to all performances are $10 and may be purchased at the door or in advance at the Gay & Lesbian Center, 1006 E. Main St., Suite 100. For reservations or further information, call 648-1936.

Todd Everett can be reached at teverett@concentric.net.