Fairfield University offers lifelong learners dinner, a show and an academic view of "As You Like It" in four parts | Press Releases

Aquila Theatre Company performs at the Quick Center for the Arts March 12

h Image: Aquila The Aquila Theatre Company will perform Shakespeare's "As You Like It" at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on March 12 at 8 p.m. And Dr. Aaron Perkus, Fairfield University's associate dean of University College sees an opportunity to collaborate for the benefit of lifelong learners. Perkus and Professor William O'Connell, professor of English at Norwalk Community College will jointly offer a four-part event for the lifelong learning community focusing on "As You Like It" as the centerpiece.

Recognizing the golden opportunity of having the highly praised Aquila Theatre Company perform one of Shakespeare's great classic comedies at the Quick Center for the Arts on the Fairfield campus, Perkus and O'Connell invite class participants to enjoy a lecture at 4, dinner at 6, the play at 8 and a post-theatre discussion at University College the following Monday morning, March 15.

Perkus and O'Connell will pierce the idiosyncratic mysteries of this convoluted comedy where love comes in all shapes, sizes and disguises. Their lecture, given on the day of the show at 4:00 p.m. in the Dolan School of Business Dining Room, will include the necessary steps for conducting an archetypal analysis of this great comedy and address the deep mythic structures the play presents as it highlights several pivotal scenes to comparative purposes. Although prior reading of the play is not necessary, it is recommended.

A break at 6 for a buffet dinner in the lecture room will allow participants to further discuss what they have learned and what they are about to see. And then, it is onto the Kelley Theatre at 8 and "As You Like It," to enjoy a first-class theatrical event described by one reviewer, thus: "The elegant force of this ensemble has you enthralled with how they make Shakespeare seem so easy to understand."

On the following Monday, March 15 from 9:30-11:00 a.m., the class will gather at University College for a post-theatrical discussion of "As You Like It." The cost for this inclusive event is $78 per person and $150 per couple. For reservations, please contact Laura Keller at (203) 254-4110.