“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts.”

Those famous lines are spoken by the character Jacque in Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” but they also ring true for many of the actors performing in the classic comedy at Changing Scene Theatre Northwest.

“As You Like It” opens April 14 at the small theater in East Bremerton, and features a cast of familiar faces, as well as a few new ones.

Kristina Scocca, who stole the show last year as the untamable Kate in the Changing Scene’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” is back, in the starring role of Rosalind, daughter of the banished Duke.

Director Pavlina Morris said although there was a good turnout at auditions, Scocca was the clear favorite for the role.

“She has a knack for Shakespeare, there’s no denying that,” Morris said.

Scocca also appeared in the Changing Scene production of “Les Liasions Dangereuses” last season and in several Shakespeare productions in high school.

As Rosalind she is lovestruck for Orlando, son of Sir Rowland de Boys. Orlando is played by Kyle Boynton, who also performed in “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Summerplay” and “Hamlet” at Changing Scene.

Celia, daughter of Duke Frederick, who usurped the throne from Rosalind’s father who is also his older brother (this is Shakespeare, try to keep up), is played by Ashley Hamrick.

Hamrick is fresh from her role in Changing Scene’s “Alkmena,” which just closed last month.

While she had a bit part in that production, her role as Rosalind’s cousin and co-conspirator is much meatier fare. She too is smitten by Orlando, setting up a rivalry between the two. At one point they settle who gets to talk with him by playing rock, paper, scissors.

As with “Taming of the Shrew,” this play is in the Commedia dell’Arte style, with broad characters played for big laughs.

The stage is simple, with only one set and no scene changes. In the tradition of Commedia’s strolling performers, all the actors remain on stage throughout the performance. If they’re not actively acting they’re part of a narrative chorus or performing sound effects to “accent” the production.

Morris said last year’s production of “Taming of the Shrew” was so popular with both the actors and the audience that the theater decided to make a Commedia dell’Arte production an annual event.

It seems that no Changing Scene production is complete without appearances by Darren Hembd and Christopher Dolan. Hembd has been in almost every show, while Dolan has barely left the theater since making his acting debut in “The Taming of the Shrew.” This is his eighth straight production for Morris, playing Duke Frederick and Andre.

This show marks the 14th Changing Scene production for Hembd, who played opposite Scocca as Petruchio in “Shrew.” In this one he plays Charles, the court wrestler and Duke Senior.

This is the second Changing Scene show for Taylor Mantzke, as Orlando’s older brother Oliver, and the third for Briana Osborne, playing Phoebe.

Newcomers in the play are Kenadi Lewis as Jacques; Riley Abel as Adam and Silvius; Ali Budge as the court jester Touchstone; and Brandy Thompson as Corin.

Of course no Shakespeare play is complete without a tangled web of lies, deceit and mistaken identity. In his tragedies, these go tragically awry. In his comedies they go for the funny bone.

In this case Frederick banishes Rosalind from his court, and she and Celia flee to the Forest of Arden, where Rosalind takes up the guise of a young man, Ganymede, and Celia becomes Aliena.

As they meet up in the forest, Ganymede tests Orlando’s love, Oliver falls for Aliena and Touchstone finds love with a shepherdess. As the bard would say, all’s well that ends well. But that’s another story.

“As You Like It” opens April 14 at The Changing Scene Theatre Northwest, 5889 SR 303 NE, East Bremerton, and runs weekends through May 13.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 6 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $12 adults, $10 seniors, students and military, $8 youth younger than 12 and groups of 10 or more. Reservations recommended, call (360) 792-8601.