Presented by Bowls with the Bard, this ‘mile-high production delivers non-stop laughs from a fully committed ensemble

For over 400 years, the works of William Shakespeare have graced all sorts of stages big and small. One of my favorite twists on the Bard is “Drunk Shakespeare,” where actors gather in a bar or brewery and perform for an inebriated audience. More often than not, the actors themselves have also imbibed before (and even during) their performance.

But what happens when a small acting troupe takes the same approach with the devil’s lettuce?

Bowls with the Bard is a Denver-based troupe asking this bold question — and we are all the better for it. Since 2017, the company has staged classic works like A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Cymbeline in The Coffee Joint, a consumption lounge where patrons can take edibles or smoke from weed pens as they enjoy the show.

Their recent production of As You Like It was my first encounter with the troupe. The classic comedy follows Rosalind as she is banished from the court and forced to take on a new identity in the Forest of Arden. Disguised as a young man named Ganymede, she encounters her true love, Orlando, who does not recognize her. This cross-dressing farce offers romantic comedy and a whimsical forested setting, which makes it the perfect script for something as wacky as Stoned Shakespeare.

As a very serious journalist, it was my duty to pop a gummy, commit to the authentic Stoned Shakespeare experience and report back. And with that, I have to say: As You Like It may be the most fun I’ve had in the theater all year.

An intimate venue

Once I checked in at The Coffee Joint’s front desk, I purchased my essential munchies from the concessions stand and made my way in. Ten folding chairs were placed just across from a foldable dressing screen. The screen was painted to be the forest of Arden, the main setting for As You Like It.

I loved the simple, cartoonish style of the set – it felt true to the tradition of a traveling theatre troupe in Shakespeare’s time, who would hop off their horse-drawn carts and perform a play with a stripped-down set and costumes. The room itself was fairly small, so the action plays out mere feet from the audience.

Kyle Lawrence (L) and Leandrah Fischman graze the farm | Photo: Jermaine Amado

Dope ensemble

The cast of As You Like It gave their all to the show, showcasing a wide array of acting styles that made the performance dynamic. Dressed in wacky clown makeup, the 10-person ensemble juggled 17 characters (and four sheep!) with total seamlessness. All actors continued to hit their weed pens throughout the show, and it was a treat to smoke and giggle along with them.

The entire ensemble brought fantastic physical comedy to the performance. Considering much of Shakespeare’s language would go over my head (even if I had been sober), the physicality of the team was excellent both in illustrating characters and garnering laughs from the audience.

Gracie Goheen had the audience cackling with the slightest thrust of the hips, fully embodying a “frat bro” in voice and body when playing Charles. Similarly, Lucinda Lazo had us in the palm of her hands by widening her eyes and reacting with subtle, but hilarious, facial expressions.

Music and comedy galore

Throughout the show, unexpected musical breaks created a nice ebb and flow during the performance. Shelby Merchant performs live music throughout, including piano, acoustic guitar and banjo. Her accompaniment set the perfect backdrop for the forest of Arden.

One highlight was an unexpected performance of “Build Me Up Buttercup,” sung by Amanda Sturman and accompanied by a flock of sheep who popped up to baa from behind the dressing screen. Director Natalie Edwards has great instincts with pacing and comedy, making the 1:40 runtime fly.

Another moment of hilarity came from the swing “mimes” of the production, who could be summoned by an audience member to swap with an actor in the middle of a scene. Kyle Lawrence and Leandra Fischman were the swings, and they handled their swap-outs with total confidence.

Inevitably, there were moments where a line would be blanked or an actor would take a big hit and get a little loopy – but these moments made the experience even funnier and more communal. With plenty of blocking and improv directed at the audience, it really felt like every audience member was a member of the ensemble ourselves.

As You Like It closed on November 9, but I will certainly be first in line for the next production from Bowls with the Bard.