GREENPOINT — Seven years after a group of housemates created a theater troupe with shows of "politics, clowning, drinking and live music," the members are reuniting in a Greenpoint park.
Giant Squid Productions is bringing William Shakespeare's classic "As You Like It" to McGolrick Park to prove just what the play claims: "All the world is a stage."
"Because of our desire to bring Shakespeare to an area that otherwise has little outdoor summer theater, we chose McGolrick Park," the group said on its Kickstarter page, which successfully raised more than $2,200 for the production as of Tuesday morning. "Because we want to bring theater to our neighborhood, performances are free."
And director Leah Bonvissuto said the park also provided an appealing setting, particularly in front of the historic U.S.S. Monitor monument.
"We chose McGolrick Park because of its proximity to our house, and because it provides the perfect structural set-up for a theatrical performance," she said. "In front of the Monitor monument, there is a playing area framed by two trees, adequate seating for audience members and a 'backstage' area behind the statue for costume changes."
The five-person show, kicking off Saturday, will last for 100 minutes with no intermission and is appropriate for kids, the cast says on their website.
"This comedy provided outstanding roles for everyone in our company," the group said.
It "could feasibly be done with a handful of actors," they added, "and gave us the opportunity to play with puppets, an important requisite."
"As You Like It" will be performed at 3 p.m. July 27 and 28 and Aug. 3 and 4 in McGolrick Park, Monitor Street between Driggs and Nassau avenues.
