The Arden foi-est visits a Philadelphia theater

by Renee Di Pietro perspectives editor

Orlando ioves Rosalind. Rosalind loves Orlando but she is disguised as Ganymede. Phoebe loves Ganymede. Silvius loves Phoebe. Jacques is melancholy... and just about everyone else gets laid, especially Touchstone. 1be lesson is: love is madness. Welcome to the forest of Arden. Welcome to William Shakespeare's "As Yoo Like It," which is playing at the Arden Theatre in old city, Philadelphia, until April 14.

The creative cast of eight skillful actors presents the 21 characters of this happy comedy. Some players play up to multiple roles in back to back to back to back scenes and pull it off magnificently. 1be play was written in the 1600s but has personalities of the 20 century. An Italian stallion, a weed-smoking duke, a whistle-craz.edreferee, cowboy compan- ions and sunflower children are the personalities that are creatively combined with the 400year-old characters. Not to mention the astounding similarity between Jacques and John Cusak in "Say Anything," as Jacques sports a look alike '80s trench coat.

"As You Like It" is one of Shakespeare's happiest plays and also the inspiration as to how the Arden 'Theatre chose its name.

Arden is Shakespeare's magical forest and the Arden Theatre has been turned into just that with the greener than grass floor and background noises of nature. "I like this place, and willingly could waste my time in it," says one of the characters. The regenerative power of Arden is utopian but the conflicts and confusion are real. See how the players succeed in happiness and experience Arden in person. VISit www.ardentheatre.org for the next show.

The St. Patrick's Day parade, usually dominated by American Irish traditions and the color green, was a remarkable tribute to the Sept.11 attacks. This year the streets of New York were flooded with the faces of those-proud to be an American with colors that will forever remind us that Americans will always stand strong together. Whether Irish, Italian, German or Asian, the fallen heroes and everyday citizens are Americans today, tomorrow and forever and will never be forgotten.