July 2, 2008

Wrapping up weeks of rehearsals and months of casting calls, costume design and stage work, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is offering theatre fans an opportunity to be one of the first to catch Richard III during the Festival’s exclusive preview night, Wed., July 9. The preview, a collaboration with the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority and Charter Communications, benefits the D.G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare Program, Swope Middle School and Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS).

“After all the preparations and plans our festival is culminating with an opening performance that’s designed to foster support for three very worthwhile programs in the Lake Tahoe and Reno area,” said Catherine Atack, executive director for the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. “Opening this performance to the public provides greater exposure for the non-profits and an opportunity for the Festival, the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority and Charter Communications to give back. It’s also a phenomenal way for us to launch our Festival and to showcase what we feel will be start of an incredible season of firsts and a truly remarkable 36th year.”

Proceeds from the preview will be split between the three children’s organizations. The Festival’s educational outreach is performed through the D.G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare Program and funds will support the annual series of free matinee performances of condensed Shakespeare plays presented to children in the region. The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority serves as the “Partner in Education” to Reno’s Swope Middle School which will use the funds for school materials and supplies. BBBS directly affects the lives of individual children in a measurable way by providing one-on-one mentoring of at-risk youth which ties directly into Charter Media’s philosophy of supporting community youth. In addition, Charter Media’s general manager Norm Pytel serves as the Board Chair of BBBS of Northern Nevada.

Serving as the final rehearsal for Richard III, the preview treats audiences to one of Shakespeare’s more revered plays Richard III. Directed by the Festival’s artistic director Jan Powell, the performance combines action, sensuality, historic events, larger than life characters and humor into one fast-paced adventure. The play follows the conniving and hunchbacked Richard III as he slaughters his way through family members and friends, allowing nothing to stand in the way of his bloody path to the throne. Set in the late 15th century and with the fate of England’s crown in jeopardy, Richard III is a domestic squabble par excellence with wrangling, mercurial twists of fate, astonishing seductions and splendidly selfish maneuverings.

Tickets to the July 9 preview are discounted from regular performance ticket pricing with reserved seating tickets priced at $20, lower gallery tickets at $15 and upper gallery tickets offered at $12. Purchase tickets for the preview or any of the Festival performances from July 9 through Aug. 17 online at www.LakeTahoeShakespearewith reduced handling fees or by calling 888-32-SHOWS (888-327-4697). Information about the 2008 season, membership, volunteer opportunities and sponsorships is available online.

The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established for the cultural benefit and enjoyment of all residents and visitors to Lake Tahoe and Reno. Annually drawing more than 30,000 attendees from across the country to the specially built Warren Edward Trepp Stage along the north shore of Lake Tahoe, the Festival is a regional advocate for producing the finest cultural events in the region. Through its in-house artistic direction, the Festival produces three plays each summer, creating original costuming, set design and choreography, and attracting a team of national and international stage talent. The Festival’s community outreach includes and annual program, InterACT, designed to educate future generations on the importance of the arts, theatre and music.