As You Like It

As You Like It
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot
The Drilling Company
July 23, 2026 

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

The Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot production of As You Like It is a perfect way to spend a summer evening.  This marks the company’s thirty-first year of presenting free summer Shakespeare on the Lower East Side, and they never cease to amaze.  Director Hamilton Clancy has again brought together a phenomenal cast of highly skilled actors who fill the parking lot on the corner of Norfolk and Rivington with joy and enthusiasm. 

Roselind (played by Lia Bonfilio), daughter of the banished Duke (played by Chris Martel), falls in love with Orlando (played by Patrick Hart), after he wins a wrestling match against Charles (played by Raphael Del Rio).  When Rosalind is accused of treason and banished from the court by her uncle (also played by Chris Martel), her cousin Celia (played by Thammie Laine Quach) decides to go with her.  They flee to the Forest of Arden.  Their servant, Touchstone (played by Andy Rowell) reluctantly joins them.  For safety, Rosalind disguises herself as Ganymede, and Celia disguises herself as Aliena.  Their journey through the Forest of Arden brings confusion, challenge, discoveries of love, and awakenings of self-awareness that none of them expect. 

Patrick Hart & Lia Bonfilio
Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

Lia Bonfilio and Partick Hart explore the multiple layers in Shakespeare’s words, creating stimulating moments of sincere emotional connection as Roselind and Orlando.  They have a wonderful, natural chemistry that penetrates through any disguise Rosalind chooses to wear. Thammie Laine Quach’s Celia/Aliena brings humor to Rosalind’s tricking of Orlando in the forest, until she meets up with Oliver (played by Emmanuel Elpenord).  Mr. Elpenord is captivating as Oliver.  He and Ms. Quach develop a beguiling connection. 

Thammie Laine Quach & Andy Rowell
Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

Rosalind meets Silvio (played by Dan Teachout) and Phoebe (played by Lizabeth Allen) in the forest, and becomes a foil for their love.  Mr. Teachout portrays Silvio as a simple and honest peasant.  Ms. Allen’s Phoebe is cunning, yet easily distracted.  They are charming together.  The scenes they share with Ms. Bonfilio are genuinely riveting. 

Andy Rowell delivers a bold and daring Touchstone.  He is meek in his initial departure from the court,  yet wild and adventurous when seeking love, which he finds with the seductive Audrey (played by Carly Grisson).  David Marantz portrays Jacques as a grounded philosopher, and delivers Shakespeare’s “Seven Ages of Man” with intrigue, humor, and wisdom.  

Emauel Elpenord, Carly Grissom, Adama Joy Sall, & David Marantz
Phtoco courtesy of The Drilling Company

There are also distinctive performances by Chris Martel, Robert Arcaro, Raphael Del Rio, Carly Grisson, and Adama Joy Sall.  Director Hamilton Clancy stepped into the role of Corrine due to an actor’s illness.  He was smooth and confidant, as always.  The original music by Natalie Smith, Andrew Gombas, Adama Joy Small, and David Marantz beautifully transforms the atmosphere of the parking lot into the mystical and magical Forest of Arden.

As You Like It is playing in the parking lot on 145 Stanton Street, between Norfolk and Suffolk on the Lower East Side through August 1.  Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:00 PM.  The Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot productions are always a summer treat.  Don’t miss this one! 

Domenick Danza

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

 A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot
The Drilling Company
July 17, 2025

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company,
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot

The Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is two hours of pure joy.  This is their thirtieth year of presenting free summer Shakespeare on the Lower East Side.  Artistic Director Hamilton Clancy has gathered a phenomenal troupe this summer to continue his well-loved tradition.  They are a highly skilled combination of accomplished regulars and bold new faces. 

Egea (played by Lizabeth Allen) brings his daughter, Hermia (played by Miranda Reilly) to Duke Theseus (played by David Marantz) because of her disobedience.  Egea wants Hermia to marry Demetrius (played by Kaleb Baker), but Hermia wants to marry Lysander (played by Patrick Hart).  To make matters worse, Demetrius has been spending time with Helena (played by Lia Bonfilio), but he does not love her.  Theseus proclaims that Hermia must follow her mother’s orders or suffer the consequences.  Lysander and Hermia plan to flee to where Athenian law has no power, and marry there.  Helena hears of this plan and tells Demetrius.  Their paths cross in the forest on a midsummer’s night, where magic and mischief run wild. 

David Marantz, Una Clancy,
& Alessandro Colla

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot regulars, David Marantz and Una Clancy double as Theseus/Oberon and Titania/Hippolyta.  Their relationships in these roles are strikingly different.  They light a fire as Oberon and Titania, creating edgy, zealous characters.  Miranda Reilly, Patrick Hart, Lia Bonfilio, and Kaleb Baker are passionate and endearing as Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius.  Their timing is strong, and their chemistry is potent.  Lizbeth Allen has a strong presence as Egea.  Thammie Laine Quach, Jasmine Gonzales, and Aria Martinelli are mystical and beguiling as Mustardseed, Moth, and Cobweb. 

The Mechanicals are a striking group of actors.  Alessandro Colla and Evangeline Fontaine make their long-awaited comeback to Shakespeare in the Parking Lot.  Mr. Colla is fierce and untamed as Bottom / Pyramus, and Ms. Fontaine is commanding and precise as Peter Quince.  Adam Joy Sall delivers a meek and tender Robin Starling / Moon.  Basil Lvoff is grounded and composed as Snug / Lion.  Marion Stenfort portrays Snout / Wall with a musical flair.  Chris Martel is charming as Flute / Thisbe.  Their individual characters are strong and distinct.  Their comic timing is impeccable.  

Andy Rowell as Puck

Andy Rowell delivers a devilish Puck.  He grabs the audience’s attention from the minute he enters, and they willingly follow him on his magical adventure.  He develops a stunning rapport with Mr. Marantz’s Oberone.  The brightest newcomer to Shakespeare in the Parking Lot is Marie Claire as the Changeling.  

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is playing Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:00 PM through August 2.  The parking lot is on the corner of Rivington & Norfolk.  Take the F Trian to Delancey.  Nothing says summer more than FREE outdoor Shakespeare, and no one does it better than the Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot. 

Domenick Danza