Riverside City College's production of As You Like It does more than stage one of William Shakespeare's most beloved comedies. Under the direction of Jason Buuck, the production transforms Landis Performing Arts Center into an intimate Forest of Arden where audiences become participants in the story itself.

Presented in a thrust-stage configuration with audience members seated on three sides of the action, the production immediately breaks down the traditional barrier between performer and spectator. Throughout the evening, actors move freely through the audience, creating the sense that the Forest of Arden extends beyond the set and into the seats themselves.

That immersive approach proves especially effective in Shakespeare's tale of love, exile, disguise, and self-discovery. When Rosalind flees into the forest disguised as the young man Ganymede, she enters a world where identities become fluid, social expectations are suspended, and nearly everyone is given the opportunity to discover who they truly are.

At the center of the production is Kayleen Maradiaga's outstanding performance as Rosalind. One of Shakespeare's most complex and beloved heroines, Rosalind requires an actor capable of navigating multiple layers of identity simultaneously. Maradiaga rises to the challenge with confidence and charm, moving seamlessly between Rosalind's wit, vulnerability, and carefully constructed masculine disguise. Her command of the role anchors the production and gives emotional weight to the play's exploration of identity and transformation.

Levinne Guarneros brings warmth and sincerity to Orlando, the young nobleman whose devotion to Rosalind drives much of the play's romantic plot. Guarneros shines particularly during the production's energetic physical sequences and in Orlando's increasingly amusing attempts to navigate matters of the heart. The chemistry between Orlando and Rosalind helps ground the play's more fantastical elements and keeps the audience invested in their eventual reunion.

If there is a scene-stealer in the production, however, it is Kailee Baltierra as Touchstone. Shakespeare's court fool is often tasked with delivering some of the play's sharpest comedy, and Baltierra embraces the role with infectious enthusiasm. Equal parts absurd, clever, and delightfully unpredictable, her Touchstone consistently earns some of the evening's biggest laughs. Whether delivering witty observations or fully embracing the character's eccentricities, Baltierra brings a playful energy that elevates every scene in which she appears.

Justin Farris also delivers a memorable performance as the melancholy philosopher Jaques. Best known for the iconic "All the world's a stage" monologue, Jaques serves as both observer and commentator throughout the play. Farris brings a unique perspective to the role, balancing the character's cynicism with genuine humanity. One of the production's most memorable moments arrives during a musical interlude featuring an adapted version of Rose Betts' "My Funeral Song," performed with live ukulele accompaniment. The intimate staging allows Jaques to share the moment directly with audience members, transforming what could have been a simple musical number into a deeply personal theatrical experience.

Music plays an important role throughout the production. Performed by Kyle Manier's Amiens and the Forest of Arden ensemble, the folk-inspired musical selections add warmth and atmosphere without pulling the audience out of Shakespeare's world. The incorporation of sea-shanty influences and live accompaniment gives the forest community a distinctive personality while reinforcing the production's sense of fellowship and shared experience.

The production is further strengthened by exceptional costume work that provides much of the show's visual identity. Against the backdrop of Todd Faux's striking multi-level set, the costumes bring color, character, and individuality to Arden's inhabitants. Combined with Jacob Carty's lighting design and the dynamic use of the thrust-stage environment, the result is a visually engaging production that remains focused on the performers and their relationships.

Perhaps the production's greatest achievement is its ability to make Shakespeare feel immediate and accessible without sacrificing the richness of the text. Orlando distributes love poems directly to audience members as though they are fellow travelers in the forest. Characters regularly acknowledge and engage the crowd. Moments that might feel distant in a traditional proscenium production instead become personal, inviting audiences to experience Arden rather than merely observe it.

By the time the play reaches its joyful conclusion, RCC Theatre has accomplished something special. This is not simply a performance of As You Like It. It is an invitation into Shakespeare's world, one where audiences are welcomed into the Forest of Arden and reminded that, given the freedom to do so, we all have the capacity to become exactly as we like.

As You Like It runs June 5 through June 7 at Riverside City College's Landis Performing Arts Center.