Musical 'Like You Like It' Combos Shakespeare With John Hughes

How far would you go for your first love? That's the question asked by the musical Like You Like It which puts an '80s twist on Shakespeare's classic "As You Like It." Writer Sammy Buck recently invited me to discover the show's website and Youtube channel filled with rad songs and live performances. Granted, I'm not usually into musicals, but I do enjoy them on occasion (like last year's Rock of Ages movie.) When I read the synopsis, I was really intrigued...check it out:

It's 1985 and the brand new Arden Mall is hosting a high school dance. Bookworm babe Rosalind wants to go with varsity wrestler Orlando, but she's never had the guts to talk to him. Rosalind disguises herself as a frat dude named Corey and learns Orlando's true feelings for her. But things get tricky when "Corey" complicates the lives of three other couples at Arden. Rosalind will do anything to get Orlando, even if it means showing up at the dance as both herself and Corey.

Filled with memorable tunes, a hip sense of humor, pure joy and a huge heart, it all works out LIKE YOU LIKE IT if you take the biggest risk of all: being yourself.

Last month on April 23 (Shakespeare's 450th birthday,) Like You Like It was featured in concert at 54 Below in New York City. A cast of Broadway talent was on-hand to perform the soundtrack at the sold out show including Laura Osnes (Cinderella), Sam Underwood (Fox's The Following), Jenna Leigh Green (Wicked), Ben Fankhauser (Newsies), Kate Rockwell (Rock of Ages), Nick Cearley (The Skivvies) and many more.

As a follow up to the performance, writers Sammy Buck and Daniel Acquisto announced on May 4th, which was the 30th anniversary of Sixteen Candles, a crowd-funding campaign to produce a studio cast album! If you haven't seen or heard any songs from the show, visit the media page on LikeYouLikeIt.com to stream a dozen excerpts or head on over to YouTube to watch them performed live. After hearing the songs, visit the Rockethub campaign to contribute toward the Broadway Records production of this awesome album. Here are the writers in their own words talking about the album and the show...

As a thank you to RD80s followers for checking out Like You Like It, Sammy has offered up some of his "Shakespeare Sayeth Relax" t-shirts! I'll be including one in each of the Neverending Story Giveaways in May, June, and July. If you haven't entered May's contest yet, visit the Giveaways page and enter through the Rafflecopter widget. Also don't forget to connect with Like You Like It on Facebook and @LikeYouLikeIt on Twitter. Rock On!