INTO THE WOODS—Rosalind (Janelle Meinert), disguised as a man, left; the fool Touchstone (Mark Goles), center; and Celia (Lalanya Gunn) flee to the Arden Forest in Shakespeare's pastoral comedy "As You Like It" presented by Classics in the Park and running at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts in Thousand Oaks. For ticket information, call (818) 991-1207. What better way to celebrate the lazy days of summer than with the refreshing, funny romance "As You Like It," as performed by Classics in the Park.

This production of one of Shakespeare's lesser comedies is "Bard lite," with the five acts trimmed to just under two hours of merriment (with no intermission). Purists may feel slighted by the omitted parts, but for those unaccustomed to Elizabethan theater, the play's a fast-paced romp and a good introduction to the Bard.

The company usually performs in outdoor venues, which explains the shorter running time and also the simple set, painted canvas panels hanging on a portable structure. The lack of an elaborate set is no matter—the original performances of Shakespeare's works had no backdrops.

Patrons are provided with a synopsis of the intricate plot, which helps to sort out the many characters and pairings. The principal couple is Orlando (Wayne Tobin) and Rosalind (Janelle Meinert). Orlando has left his older brother, Oliver (Michael Jordan), who has treated him like a serf since their father died.

Rosalind and her best friend and cousin, Celia (Lalanya Gunn), meet Orlando after his wrestling match with Duke Frederick's fighter, Charles (Jim Bukowski). Rosalind and Orlando are, of course, instantly smitten with each other.

But before the young lovers can connect, the duke exiles Rosalind as he also banished her father, Duke Senior (Fred Camerer). Fearful at wandering through strange lands as a woman, Rosalind disguises herself as a man, "Ganymede." Celia, Frederick's easily excited daughter, chooses to run away with Rosalind and, together with the fool Touchstone (Mark Goles), they escape into the Arden forest.

Orlando also ends up in the forest with an old family servant, Anna (Margaret Tolberg). In the original text this character is Adam, but the gender change works and adds a touch of whimsy, especially in Tolberg's humorous portrayal of the senile woman.

Duke Senior holds court in the forest with various displaced persons, including the musician Amiens (musical director Holly O'Hair, who has a lovely voice) and the melancholy Jaques (Michael Lindsay), the philosopher who delivers the "seven ages of man" speech. Lindsay plays the role not as a depressed cynic but as a sardonic skeptic.

In a nice touch, young children play some of Duke Senior's retinue. Another charming addition is Karen Goles as a deer who wanders upstage during the forest scenes and steals the show.

Touchstone falls in lust, er, love with Audrey (Suzanne Tobin), a goat keeper with a broad Cockney accent and lower-class manners to match.

Shepherdess Phebe (O'Hair's second role) falls for "Ganymede," while ignoring the affections of the shepherd Silvius (Branden West).

Orlando proclaims his love for Rosalind by posting love letters on the trees. When he meets "Ganymede," the "boy" offers to teach Orlando the correct way to woo to a lady. Tobin and Meinert verbally fence and parry in their courting scenes, and all the while Orlando is clueless as to "Ganymede's" identity.

Jordan does double duty as Oliver and Duke Frederick, delineating each character with a different personality.

The company is a mix of professional and amateur actors, who deliver their roles with a light touch and a sense of fun. Opening night saw some difficulties with the lines, but that should be remedied in subsequent performances.

We know how the story will turn out—everyone finds his or her true love—but the joy is in watching the characters stumble about, infatuated with courtly love, and in listening to the Shakespearean wordplay. What's not to like?

"As You Like It" continues at 8 p.m. Saturdays, July 18 and 25 and Aug. 1 at the Theater on the Hill at Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Tickets are $15.

Additional performances will be July 26 and Aug. 15 at the Stagecoach Inn, Newbury Park.

For more information, call (818) 991-1207.