MCS Theatre Club Knights take stage for ‘As You Like It’

Kina Dela Cruz , left, and Larry Cruz play the lead roles of Rosalind and Orlando, respectively in the Mount Carmel School Theatre Club adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic comedy, “As You Like It.” (CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)

As part of the ongoing celebration of its 25th anniversary, Mount Carmel School’s Theatre Club returns to William Shakespeare with an adaption of his classic comedy, “As You Like It.” Taking on the challenge of staging a Shakespeare show are two club veterans, Kina Dela Cruz and Larry Cruz, who play the lead roles of Rosalind and Orlando, respectively.

Dela Cruz is no stranger to the stage, having acted in several productions, including the lead role of Tasi in the Theatre Club’s 2019 production of “Tasi.” Despite all that experience, though, her current role has pushed her to grow as an actor. In particular, she is playing a character who disguises herself as a man in order to learn the true intentions of a potential suitor. “It has been a challenge to switch from playing the girl character to the manly character.” She added, “I have had to learn how to change my body movements and the way I speak.”

Cruz is also no stranger to the club, having acted in several productions and recently directing one of the stories in the club’s award-winning “We Drank Our Tears” series. Still, he too struggled with his role. As he put it, “In real life, I am the oldest sibling, but my character is the youngest sibling, so adjusting to that different mindset was challenging.”

Their challenges on stage, though, have been worth it. In particular, they appreciate the close relationships they have forged with fellow cast and crew members. As Dela Cruz put it, “I love how close we all became.” Likewise, Cruz said, “They’ve become my family.”

Those close relationships are one reason Dela Cruz and Cruz keep returning to the Theatre Club. Dela Cruz said, “Slowly, this club has become a part of me, and coming back to theatre for each production is like coming home.”

For Cruz, the family of the club has allowed him to feel comfortable in his own skin. “In Theatre Club, you can find yourself. It’s a place that allows us to grow as individuals surrounded by people who understand and love you for who you are.” He added, “Without theatre, I would still be that closed-off, introverted guy with anxiety attacks. It’s helped me grow in school and how I present myself.”

“As You Like It” follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle’s court, accompanied by her cousin Celia to find safety and, eventually, love, with Orlando in the Forest of Arden. In the forest, they encounter a variety of memorable characters, notably Jaques, who speaks many of Shakespeare’s most famous speeches, including a monologue that begins with the Theatre Club’s slogan, “All the world’s a stage.”

Launched in 1996, the MCS Theatre Club celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, commemorating over 50 theatrical and cinematic productions, including several Disney musicals, numerous Shakespeare plays, and a number of original productions. The club started this year’s celebration in February with the sold-out premiere of the latest entry in its award-winning “We Drank Our Tears” series, the “Stories of Visitacion, Henry, and Dave” at American Memorial Park. The club will continue the celebration after “As You Like It” with a sequel ten years in the making, May’s premiere of the feature film “Zero2Hero”, a follow-up to 2011’s cult hit, “Zero to Hero.” Later this year, the club will continue the celebration with another feature film, “Isla”, and the classic musical, “The Sound of Music”.

“As You Like It” will be presented on the Mount Carmel School campus on April 30 and May 1 starting at 7pm each night. Tickets are $25 for front row premium seats and $10 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased at Herman’s Modern Bakery, Java Joe’s Kagman Mobil, Naked Fish Bar & Grill, Puerto Rico Shell, TRIBE MARIANAS, and the school’s Business Office. To comply with COVID-19 Mitigation Guidelines, tickets are limited and are available only on a first-come, first-served basis.

Funding for this production is provided by the CNMI CARES Relief Fund for Organizations and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. For more information, visit www.mountcarmelsaipan.com. (PR)