The Napa Valley College Glade was transformed this weekend into the Forest of Ardenne. That is, the Forest of Ardenne complete with lawn chairs and the crinkling of baguette wrappers.

From now until July 29, Napa Valley College Theater presents “As You Like It” as a part of its free Shakespeare in the Park summer program. This enchanting production, set under the trees of the college’s outdoor glade, is a delightful opportunity to enjoy fine weather, a casual ambiance and, of course, a little bit of Shakespeare.

While the idea has been around for ages, there is still something remarkable about performing Shakespeare outdoors, especially a pastoral play such as “As You Like It.” Forget stuffy pretense, there’s no Art Deco set or contemporary twist here. Just the beauty of nature and perhaps the occasional string of glittering white lights in the trees. As the characters flee into the Forest of Ardenne, it takes little stretch of the imagination to find yourself right there with them. Unless, of course, the half-eaten mozzarella sandwich under your lawn chair breaks your suspension of disbelief.

Directed by Carla Spindt, this production delves into the relationship between city and country. It is in the forest that possibilities arise, possibilities free of the confines of a traditional societal structure. Among the trees, there is love, magic and potential — and, like any good pastoral comedy, an eclectic cast of characters.

Perhaps one of the most famous characters of all is the melancholy Jacques. The faithful lord who accompanies Duke Senior into the forest, Jacques is played by David Schuster with a sense of near-hysteria. He seems always on the verge of laughing or crying, though one is never quite sure which. Schuster’s “All the world’s a stage” speech, while the tempo could have been kicked up a half notch — or two — was performed with a great complexity and humor.

In comparison, Touchstone was performed Saturday by understudy Seth Smith with a sprightly energy and silliness. Leaping into the trees, winking and muttering sarcastic remarks under his breath, Smith was contagiously funny.

But it was Josh Bross as Silvius and Stephanie Rivas as Phoebe who drew the biggest laughs. Bross plays Silvius, who spends the course of the play desperately pursuing Phoebe’s love, as a pathetically naive country bumpkin. “My Phoebe,” he laments over and over again, and with each repetition, his desperation — and the laughs of the audience — grow greater. Complete with silly voice and an over-the-top physicality, Bross instills with humor every wide-eyed gasp and downcast sigh.

Sean Scofield is immediately likable as Orlando. Perhaps such a reaction is inherent in his romantically poetic lines, but swoons are likely to break out from the female members of the audience as Scofield as Orlando professes his love for his dear Rosalind. He is at once strong a sensitive, and Scofield plays him to perfection.

Rosalind, the heroine of the play, is played by Kelsey Scott with poise and confidence, Rosalind teaches the characters around her to love, displaying both wisdom and a sweet gentility. Scott shines in this role, exhibiting a charm and natural likeability. Although she could have delivered her humorous situation with a bit more punch — her predicament is, after all, one of the most ridiculously complicated gender reversals in all Shakespeare; a woman playing a man playing a …wha? — Scott is elegant as Rosalind, sincere and sweet.

Appropriately enough, the most touching moment of all came not from the script, nor from the actors. Rather, it was a moment in which country and city came together in a beautiful display of simplicity. Watch for it; as the sun goes down behind the stage, as cool chill of night comes over the audience, twinkling white lights strung in the trees create a glow somehow as poetic as the Bard himself. Nature meets society in this romantic moment, as the one vestige of city life sparkles in the leaves.

Performances of “As You Like It” begin at 6 p.m. at Napa Valley College Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Follow signs from the parking lot to the glade.