In William Shakespeare’s pastoral romantic comedy, “As You Like It,” nothing is as it seems. Like all of Shakespeare’s romantic comedies, including “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” and “Twelfth Night,” “As You Like It” is about love. Who will fall in love, out of love, escape love, pine for love, or have love requited? Love is what makes the world go around. The play, which opens Thursday, Oct. 13, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 23, in the Bruce Davis Theater at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, is set in the Forest of Arden, Shakespeare’s signature magical creation. Ticket prices are $4 or $6, general admission. To make reservations, contact the Theater Box Office at 240-895-4243 or email boxoffice@smcm.edu.

 “The play starts out like a serious drama,” Director and Shakespeare expert Michael Ellis-Tolaydo said. “Treachery, envy, bad blood between brothers, political maneuverings, abuses of power, disloyalties. Then we escape to the forest, where the seemingly improbable happens.”

Far from the political rivalries and intrigues of Royal Court life, the banished and the outcast find refuge and love along with a little bit of clowning, lots of disguise, and some music and song.

As the play’s Fool, Touchstone, sums it up, “Would you rather have a fool to make me merry than experience to make me sad?”

Parking is available within walking distance to Montgomery Hall in either the Michael P. O'Brien Athletics & Recreation Center lot or in the adjacent visitor’s lot. Both are located on East Fisher Road, off  Mattapany Road.