Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

Talented Filipino-American Bobby Nafarrete once again composes music for a musical production at the California State University Fullerton. The production is William Shakespeare’s popular pastoral comedy, As You Like It, which is being shown by the Department of Theatre and Dance at Cal State Fullerton.

Nafarrete’s talent in composing music stems from his vision to achieve a high level of creativity for entertaining audiences.  A Bachelor of Music graduate (Commercial Composition and Arranging) from Cal State Fullerton, he also has a master’s degree in Fine Arts from New York University/Tisch School of Arts, in the Musical Theatre Writing Program.  

However, Nafarrete’s musical prowess is not confined to the theatre stage alone.  His credits include NBC’s Bob Hope Tribute, When Hope Was There,  Music of the Millennium Tour for McDonald’s and Coca-Cola, and Ice Show Spectacular by Lion’s Club International featuring ice-skating star Kristi Yamaguchi among others.  

As You Like It is Nafarrete’s third consecutive year composing music for a CSUF show.  The first was Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertoldt Brecht, and the second was A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare.  

As You Like It was first performed around the turn of the 17th century. Considering that Queen Elizabeth I was at the height of her reign, it is perhaps not surprising that Shakespeare wrote one of the longest and most celebrated roles for women in this comedy, that of Rosalind. Many famous actresses have played the role, including Sarah Siddons, Peggy Ashcroft, Vanessa Redgrave, and more recently, Gwyneth Paltrow.

Based on Thomas Lodge’s romantic novella Rosalynde, As You Like It starts out in a courtly world, ruled over by the usurping Duke Frederick. Celia is the only daughter to Duke Frederick, and when her cousin Rosalind is banished, the two set out on a journey to the Forest of Arden. Meanwhile, the young Orlando de Boys flees with a loyal servant Adam, to escape the court and a jealous, vengeful brother. The plot thickens when Rosalind, dressed as a young man to protect herself and Celia, meets Orlando in the forest.

Featuring some of Shakespeare’s most beloved characters, including the melancholy Jacques, the fool Touchstone, and the vibrant and outrageous Phebe, As You Like It reminds us that, “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.”

As You Like It will be directed by CSUF graduate directing student Kevin Slay and will be a featured production at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. Cal State Fullerton is only the third university in America selected by the Education Wing of the Kennedy Center to produce in their Shakespeare program.

The cast includes Jesse Abeel as Orlando, Kirsten Kuiken as Rosalind, Meredith Hinckley as Celia, Joe Calarco as Jacques, Jeremy Lelliott as Touchstone, Elizabeth Nguyen as Phebe, and Adam Navarro as Silvius. Sean Vasquez is scenic designer, Debbie Dufour is costume designer, LaTasha Tobias is lighting designer, Heather Alvear is audio designer, and Monica French is makeup designer.