Paul T. Mitri makes his Island directorial debut when he mounts Shakespeare's "As You Like It," beginning April 13 at Kennedy Theatre.

Mitri, who has been involved in more than 150 plays as actor, director, fight choreographer, dance choreographer and playwright, will present The Bard's tale of love, redemption and rejuvenation as heir apparent to Terence Knapp, longtime Shakespeare mentor and scholar, who has retired but serves as a professor emeritus of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's department of theater and dance.

Mitri previously was artistic director and a founder of the Seattle Shakespeare Festival and has served as director of theater at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. He also has been artistic director at the Salem Theatre Company.

He selected "As You Like It" for his debut because of his fascination of exploring "why Rosaline does what she does to Orlando."

"I'm also interested in using this play to examine society's current faddish love of 'reality TV,' " he said in a statement. His production will include live and taped video elements to transform the Duke's Palace into what he calls "Sin City meets Fight Club."

The play repeats at 8 p.m. April 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 and at 2 p.m. April 15, 22 and 29, with show chats slated at 7 p.m. April 24, 21 and 28.

Tickets are $16 regular; $14 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff; $11 students; and $5 UHM students with photo ID.

Information: 956-7655.