A SHAKESPEAREAN `LIKE IT' TO LOVE.

Byline: Evan Henerson Theater Critic

Ah, to be stuck in that den of hormones otherwise known as the Forest of Arden, where courtiers, shepherds and the occasional god are continuously barreling though in pursuit of a whim, an idea, a song, a pretty face.

Shakespeare's ``As You Like It'' is back yet again, and Michael Michetti's production for A Noise Within is one to love.

It's not merely that Michetti has cast his production seamlessly between ANW veterans and company newcomers. Or that scenically, aurally, sartorially and technically, the production never stops displaying its considerable finery. He has, and it doesn't. And, yes, in Kirsten Potter, the production has a quite wonderful Rosalind.

But mostly it's the bounce and the variation that makes this ``As You Like It'' so irresistible. People of all shapes and sizes -- tall, short, skinny, rotund -- are chasing each other through Arden in sprightly interludes (choreographed by Christine Sang). A satyr-like figure -- later revealed to be the god Hyman (and played with a dancer's silkiness by Jordan Bass) -- orchestrates the mischief. But no mere trickster (This isn't ``A Midsummer Night's Dream,'' after all), our Hyman has plans for these characters.

Until that plan comes clear, the Arden newcomers have some serious problems to work through. The hot-bloodedness that nearly gets him executed in court serves Orlando (Mark Deakins) to better advantage in Arden. Except that he's head over heels in love with Rosalind, the lady's nowhere nearby, and some pushy lad named Ganymede (Rosalind in disguise) insists on giving Orlando wooing lessons.

Potter's Rosalind has her own problems, of course, but seems more than equipped to handle them. Hers is a Rosalind whose girlish giddiness can barely contain itself ... and often doesn't (Potter makes use of a nervous braying giggle). Deakins' Orlando appears to tire of the love lessons just as Potter's Rosalind is getting the hang of this male drag thing. But the two performers richly deserve their resolution.

Among the rest of the cast -- universally excellent -- a pin-striped-suit-wearing Bo Foxworth is deliciously lecherous as the jester Touchstone, who winds up -- it's Hyman's doing, apparently -- with the country maid, Audrey (Danica Sheridan).

Cheers especially to the design team. What at first glance appears to be a mini-golf putting green set designer Sibyl Wickersheimer and lighting designer Jim Taylor transform into a versatile playground. Original music by Robert Oriol is handled smoothly by Andrew Ross Wynn and the banished Duke's courtiers.

Evan Henerson, [phone]

evan.henerson(at)dailynews.com

AS YOU LIKE IT - Three and one half stars

Where: A Noise Within, 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. In rotating repertory. Call [phone], Ext. 1, for specific show dates and times.

Tickets: $34 to $38. [phone] or visit www.anoisewithin.org.

In a nutshell: Rosalind, Orlando and the gang are ardent in Arden.

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Photo:

Ganymede -- actually Rosalind (Kirsten Potter) in disguise -- gives Orlando (Mark Deakins) wooing lessons in ``As You Like It.''