"AS YOU LIKE IT," Utah Shakespearean Festival, Cedar City, through Aug. 29, (435-586-7878 or www.bard.org); running time: 2 hours and 50 minutes (one intermission)

CEDAR CITY — Many actresses lament that there just aren't many great roles written for women.

I'm not sure when things changed, but one thing Shakespeare did was write great roles for women.

Rosalind, from "As You Like It," is near the top of that list.

With equal parts sass and smarts, charm and cunning, femininity and even masculinity — Utah Shakespearean Festival actress Melinda Parrett is certainly up to the challenge of the role.

Parrett's performance is a joy to watch. With a strong command of the language and wonderful physicality, Parrett seems as natural delivering the Bard's lines as she might having a cup of coffee.

She has a lovely rapport with her castmates and a nice chemistry with Orlando (Quinn Mattfeld).

Rosalind, banished by the vengeful Duke, flees to the Forest of Arden along with her cousin, Celia, and their court jester.

Rosalind, disguised as a boy, runs into her love Orlando, who is also in the forest. The problem is, Orlando believes Rosalind is really a boy.

With wide eyes and a striking smile, Marcella Rose Sciotto does a great job as cousin Celia, and she and Parrett have a wonderful chemistry and warmth with each other.

Mattfeld also does a very nice job as the handsome and charming love interest Orlando.

Other standouts in the talented cast are David Ivers, whose melancholy Jaques garnered plenty of laughs and almost stole the show.

The rest of the merry band of outlaws was delightful, led by Don Burroughs, who plays the lute and also wrote the songs in the show.

I was less convinced with Michael Littig as Silvius, a shepherd in love with Phoebe, a shepherdess. His portrayal seemed either unsure of the verbiage, or whiny enough that Phoebe's annoyance is understandable.

Bravo to Rod Kinter's fight choreography that has Orlando and the court wrestler (Erik Mathew) in a very convincing shirtless wrestling match.

Troy Hemmerling's Forest of Arden is lovely as are the costumes by David Kay Mickelsen and lighting by Donna Ruzika.

"As You Like It" is the perfect play to be staged outside on a lovely summer's evening. Perhaps as today's actresses lament, they're really confirming a truth spoken by Rosalind, and one of my favorites in the show: "Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I speak."

e-mail: ehansen@desnews.com