Shakespeare Theatre stages ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’

So these four young guys agree that they need to concentrate on their studies. They decide the best way to do that is to have nothing to do with women for three years.

What could possibly go wrong?

Plenty, at least for the four sober-minded nobles in William Shakespeare’s play “Love’s Labour’s Lost.” No sooner have they made their pact than four delightful young ladies appear, and all those good intentions of studies vanish.

The nobles may end up disappointed, but actors with the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey hope that the audiences will delight in the play’s comic and romantic complications.

“It’s a little like Murphy’s Law,” says Ben Jacoby. “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. This is a play about setting up expectations and then turning those expectations on their head. It’s amusing to watch.”

The Madison-based company is presenting “Love’s Labour’s Lost” under the direction of Brian D. Crowe as its annual summer production at the Greek Theatre, the outdoor stage on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth.

Jacoby portrays Berowne, in some ways the most sensible of the young noblemen. He has to be convinced by his friends – led by King Ferdinand of Navarre played by Jonathan Naviv) – to join this pact.

“From the beginning, Berowne has problems with the agreement to swear off women,” Jacoby notes. “He’s peer-pressured into doing it.”

“Love’s Labour’s Lost” is one of Shakespeare’s earliest comedies. Jacoby feels the script shows a novice playwright playing verbal word games for the sake of playing games, rather than letting them come from the characters.

“It’s Shakespeare showing off,” Jacoby says. “When I read the script, my first impression was that the language is difficult, even for Shakespeare.”

Nonetheless, Jacoby feels that audiences will be able to relate to the action. “This play was written around the time of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ and you can see some of those elements here,” he says.

Jesmille Darbouze agrees that audiences will respond to the story. Darbouze plays the Princess of France, whose arrival in Navarre with three ladies-in-waiting sets the plot in motion.

“I think Shakespeare does a great job capturing human behavior,” says Darbouze. “We all know what it’s like to set a goal. ‘Oh, I’m going to focus on my career, and I’m not going to be distracted.’ Then you meet someone and you throw it all away.”

Darbouze says she appreciates “Love’s Labour’s Lost” for the way that the female characters are the intellectual equals of the males. “They give the men a run for their money,” she says with a laugh.

“I love (the Princess) for her practical nature,” Darbouze continues. “She’s highly intelligent, but she’s also joyful and witty. She’s very grounded.”

This production marks the first time that Jacoby and Darbouze will appear at the Greek Theatre. “Outdoor elements can enhance or hinder a production,” says Darbouze. “It’ll keep us on our toes. It’s fun to see actors tackle challenges in the moment.”

“I think Shakespeare was meant to be done outside,” Jacoby says. “You have the natural lighting. My character has a number of speeches to the audience, so it’ll be fun relating to the audience.”

One aspect of “Love’s Labour’s Lost” that may surprise audiences is the ending, which does feature not the usual multiple marriages found in Shakespeare.

Darbouze, for one, feels that the ending will give the play an added emotional weight. “It’s a bittersweet ending,” she says. “It leaves people wanting to root for the couples to get together eventually. It’s a fact of life; not everyone gets a happy ending.”

LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST

WHAT: Shakespeare’s comedy offers a group of young noblemen who attempt to swear off love so they can concentrate on their studies. Complications ensue in this production at the Greek Theatre, the outdoor stage of the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.

WHEN: Now through July 26

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays

4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sundays

WHERE: Greek Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, 2 Convent Road (off Madison Avenue), the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station (Morris Township).

TICKETS: $35 for adults and teens, $15 for ages 18 and under and students with ID. Free for children under age 5.

INFORMATION: 973-408-5600 or www.shakespearenj.org