LAKEPORT, Calif. – Shakespeare at the Lake’s production of “As You Like It,” rescheduled due to the outbreak of the Mendocino Complex fires, is back on for two free shows.

As the old saying goes, the show must go on!

Sometimes that simply means putting an understudy onstage; other times, it means postponing a show for over a month, coordinating the schedules of dozens of people, finding a new venue and, quite literally, waiting for the smoke to clear.

The mandatory evacuation order for Lakeport was issued July 28, on what would have been opening night of “As You Like It.”

Six weeks after the originally scheduled performance dates, Shakespeare at the Lake’s production of As You Like It will become Shakespeare at the Soper Reese Theatre.

While it won’t be the same as the outdoor production with Clear Lake and Mount Konocti as the backdrop, Director John Tomlinson and the cast and crew are thrilled to finally present the play to an audience and are grateful to the Soper Reese Theatre for providing a venue.

The performances will be free of charge, as originally planned, at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16.

Doors will open 30 minutes in advance for first-come, first-served seating.

Love is in the air, peace and freedom ring out. Civil rights, women’s rights, human rights; themes of unity and acceptance; themes that were explored in Shakespeare’s works, more deeply visited in the 1960s, and are reborn in new form in our time.

Shakespeare’s wit shines in the perspective we reveal in the simple changing of gender caused by a simple changing of costume. Are words different if we think a man or a woman spoke them?

Placing the story in the 1960s was inspired by the description of Duke Senior’s band of outlaws. Now banished, he lives in the forest, “and a many merry men with him…like the old Robin Hood of England.” Somehow this conjured images of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters of the 60s, at odds with the society around them, and a concept was born.

The soundtrack and other design details, once the theme was set, continued to unpack the action of this play. Characters come into focus: a couple hippies here, an acoustic guitarist and a beatnik trading songs, high 60s fashion and tie dyes, and other groovy ideas continued to make the world of the play come alive.

Cast members include Tiffany Harz as Orlando, a young nobleman; Richard Smith, as Adam, his servant; Austin Mueller, his brother Oliver; Benjamin Lopez, as Charles, a wrestler; Hayley Martin, as Celia, the daughter of Duke Frederick; and Barbara Clark, as Rosalind, the daughter of Duke Senior.

Also performing are Annie Barnes, as Touchstone, a fool; Richard Grahn, as Frederick, the new Duke; Lacey Deas, Le Beau, a courtier; Ed Borg, Senior, the old Duke; Jeffrey Schmidt, Amiens, a courtier; Diana Schmidt, Jacques, a courtier; Zack Jordan, as Sylvius, a shepherd; Ashlyn Lesch, as Phebe, a shepherdess; and Zoe Richardson, as Hymen, God of Marriage. Jenifare Martin and Benjamin Lopez are cast as the police.

Members of the chorus and stage crew include Lisa Baker, Sue Bonera, Cindy Sobel, Kaleb Sanderson, Kelly Larsen and Zoe Richardson.

Tomlinson was aided by Laura Barnes, producer; Larry Richardson, assistant director; Lizzy Wold, stage manager; Cindy Sobel, assistant stage manager; Gary Deas, master carpenter; Adam Garrett, scenic painter; Kevin Moore, lighting design; Sarah Dutra, costume design; and Nick Biondo, sound engineer.

Set construction was under the direction of Ethan Miller, Larry Richardson, Kevin Moore and Phil Blair, with painting handled by the entire cast. Poster and program design was created by Tony Novelli, Mendocino College marketing and community relations specialist.

The Lake County Friends of Mendocino College and the Lake County Theatre Co. thank their generous sponsors for making this free production possible. Major donors include the Law Office of Judy Conard, Community First Credit Union, Education Leadership Solutions, Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation, Rotary Club of Lakeport, and Tomkins Tax Consultants.

Significant contributions were made by Linda Drake, Lake County Rural Arts Initiative, Lakeport Main Street Association, Dennis Rollins and Cindy Ustrud, Smith Family Trust, Strong Financial Network, Carl E. Olson, Joan Wadhams, and the Soper Reese Theatre.

Other sponsors include Peggy Campbell, CPA, Elva Hohn, Valerie Jensen, Jimmy’s Deli and Taqueria, Bill and Colleen Kranz, Donald and Lorene McGuire, Lilia Powers, SHN Consulting Engineers and Geologists, Jim and Wilda Shock and Margaret Silveira.

In-kind support for this year’s theatrical gift to the community has been provided by BiCoastal Media, Chacewater Winery, City of Lakeport, Kelseyville Lumber Company, Lake County News, Lake County Publishing, Lake Event Design, Lakeport Police Department, Mendocino College Foundation, Inc., Mendocino College Lake Center, Middletown Mercury, Rosa d’Oro Vineyards and R Vineyards.

Concessions, including beer and wine, will be available for purchase and all proceeds benefit student scholarships and production expenses. Please join us for this groovy twist on a classic Shakespearean comedy. Tie dye and other 60s apparel is encouraged.

“I want to thank them all – cast and technicians and performers, the efforts of many community members and sponsors – the showing of support and unity each year truly make my heart swell,” said Tomlinson.

The third annual production of Shakespeare at the Lake is presented by Mendocino College Lake Center and the Lake County Theatre Co. in cooperation with the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College and the City of Lakeport.

The Soper Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main St. in Lakeport; call 707-263-0577 for more information.