(Cedar City, UT) - “All the world’s a stage…” and love takes center stage in William Shakespeare delightful romantic comedy As You Like It. Southern Utah University’s Department of Theatre Arts & Dance presents the whimsical classic October 5, 8 and 11-13 at the Adams Shakespearean Theatre in Cedar City. Curtain time is 7:30pm for all performances. The production will be directed by Peter Sham and kicks off the 2012-2013 Theatre Arts & Dance Season.

Referred to as a “pastoral comedy,” As You Like It follows its heroine, Rosalind, who is banished from court by her treacherous uncle. Fleeing to the Forest of Arden along with her cousin, Celia, and the fool, Touchstone, Rosalind disguises herself as the male shepherd named Ganymede. As Ganymede, Rosalind befriends a love struck Orlando whose object of affection is none other than the fair Rosalind. Soon “Ganymede” is coaching Orlando in the finer art of wooing his beloved Rosalind. Filled with an assortment of colorful characters, humorous situations and one of Shakespeare’s most quoted speeches, “All the world’s a stage…,” As You Like It remains a timeless comic classic.

Associate Chair of SUU’s Department of Theatre Arts & Dance, Peter Sham, book and lyrics for Lend Me a Tenor the Musical and director of last year’s SUU’s production of King Lear, will stage the comedy. According to Sham, “As You Like It is a romantic comedy and a celebration of life and love for all races, creeds, preferences and religions. It is a play that takes its characters on a journey of redemption and forgiveness, and returns them to a community in which all members are more enlightened than they ever were before. Shakespeare’s comic masterpiece shows us that change, growth, love and acceptance are the keys to the meaning of life. Let's enjoy it while we can.”

Collaborating with Sham on developing his vision for the court and the forest are set designer Jarrod Bray, costume designer Kaylin James, lighting designer William Howard, hair and make-up designer Kristy Kozolowski, sound designer Nicholas Pinegar, props master Miriam Gonzalez-Hernandez and composer Christine Frezza. Kelli Kovach is the assistant director, Kristen Sham is choreographer and Ben Harris is fight choreographer, while Elizabeth Haight serves as stage manager.

The cast features Jessica Winward as Rosalind and Marco Vega as Orlando, the comedy’s delectable lovers. The company includes Alex Allred (Duke Senior), Tony Carter (Silvius), Amanda Dayton (Celia), Ian Durant (Touchstone), Ben Harris (Duke Frederick), Dory Peacock (Phebe), MacKenzie Pedersen (Audrey), Joe Spear (Jaques) and Christopher Whiteside (Oliver). Rounding out the cast in multiple roles are Josh Durfey, Gabrielle Harris, Taylor Holbrook, Nate Marble, Andrew Morrison, Grayson Moulton, Selena Price, Nathan Smith and Natalie Spangler.

Come to the Forest of Arden at the Adams Shakespearean Theatre and enjoy the delights of As You Like It. Ticket prices are: $10 General Admission; $8 SUU Faculty/Staff, $5 Youth and free for SUU students with a valid ID. Money-saving season subscriptions are available for Theatre Arts & Dance Series (which includes six events) at $48 for the General Public and $24 for Student/Child. For tickets, call (435) 586-7872, Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm, or purchase at the Centrum Arena box office. The 2012-2013 Theatre Arts & Dance Series includes the holiday favorite Peter Sham and Brad Carroll’s A Christmas Carol on the Air featuring Fred C. Adams as “Scrooge,” the Tony Award-winner CHICAGO the Musical, and in rotating repertory two contemporary plays God of Carnage and Women of Lockerbie. This series also includes Boundless Journeys: A Student / Faculty Dance Concert.