Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Aug. 4-17 News Update

Jul 31, 2008

Media Contacts

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev.  - The final weeks of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival are quickly approaching so now's the time to catch your favorite performance. From venue improvements to the impressive menu at Shakespeare's Kitchen to the well rounded playbill featuring "Richard III," "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and the revamped original musical "CAMBIO," the annual Festival offers something for everyone.

CAMBIO Turns Up the Music: New York musician Omar Alexander and his band Soulare are joining the cast of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival's non-Shakespeare production of "CAMBIO" each Monday night. The band infuses a new dimension of musical energy and excitement to the production combining a dynamic blend of Latin, world beat, contemporary funk and soul rhythms with English and Spanish lyrics. Co-written by Festival Artistic Director Jan Powell and Portland, Ore., playwright Carol Dane, "CAMBIO" is an original musical love story set in modern day Havana and is about change happening today in revolutionary Cuba.

Tickets Start at Just $22. Tickets for Festival's Shakespeare productions, "Richard III," "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "CAMBIO" are available with reduced handling fees for all online purchases at www.LakeTahoeShakespeare.com or by calling (888) 32-SHOWS (888-327-4697). Lodging packages at Harrah's and Harveys Lake Tahoe, the official lodging partner of the Festival, are also available online.

Wine and Dine at Sand Harbor: The Sand Harbor venue is in prime condition with expanded seating areas, a new more open stage and set design as well as the gourmet selections available at Shakespeare's Kitchen, the Festival's food and beverage area located inside the theatre gates. The extensive menu includes complete dinners with natural free-range selections and vegetarian options, children's portions and tantalizing desserts plus a wide selection of fine wines, ales, lagers, select liqueurs and spirits, specialty coffee drinks and other hot beverages. Patrons can wine and dine at the Festival and even order meals in advance prior to each evening's show for pick up upon arrival. Visit Shakespeare's Vineyard before the show and for $25 receive a souvenir Festival wine glass and a sampling of five wines from California growers and international vineyards.

Sign Up for FREE Young Shakespeare Performances Near You: The Festival's D.G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare program invites youth to enjoy FREE presentations of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," set in contemporary times and geared entirely for children. Reservations are required and can be made online at www.LakeTahoeShakespeare.com. Upcoming performances include:
• August 5 at 10 a.m. at Sand Harbor State Park
• August 6 at 11 a.m. at Tahoe Tallac at Valhalla (South Lake Tahoe)
• August 7 at 10 a.m. at Sand Harbor State Park
• August 8 at 9:30 a.m. at Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheatre at Bartley Ranch

Midsummer Night's Series: Want more beach-side entertainment? After the curtain closes on this summer's season of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, the entertainment continues with a series of post-season events at Sand Harbor State Park from Aug. 26 - 31 with the Festival's 3rd annual Midsummer Night's Series. Post season schedule includes:
• Aug. 26 - 27 at 7:30 p.m.: "A Midsummer NightMARE": Created by internationally acclaimed artistic director Christopher Childers, a former Cirque du Soleil performer and current artistic director for "Le Reve" in Las Vegas, the spectacular show brings a wild mix of dancers, contortionists, aerialists and stilt walkers to the stage as they transcend reality with their masterful artistry.
• Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m.: Sierra Nevada Ballet presents "The Best of Broadway" On the Beach: International stars perform musical numbers from theatre's most memorable productions courtesy of musicians Susan Mazer, Dallas Smith and renowned jazz singer Cami Thompson while Sam Weber, "the fastest feet in tap," leads a dynamic cast of dancers in the show. The evening concludes with "Dance with the Stars Under the Stars" where prominent local residents of Lake Tahoe's North Shore will dance live with the Sierra Nevada Ballet artists in a grand finale presentation.
• Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m.: Crystal Bay Casino Road Show with David Benoit: Five time Grammy award nominee David Benoit performs courtesy of the Crystal Bay Casino Roadshow. Known for his extraordinary and seminal contributions to contemporary jazz and classical music, Benoit has arranged, conducted and performed music for many popular pop and jazz artists over the years and composed music for Peanuts TV specials on CBS.
• August 31 at 7:30 p.m.: Jamie Davis and friends from the Count Basie Orchestra: Enjoy big band jazz and soulful gospel music when Jamie Davis takes the stage alongside the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, known as one of the most thriving big in bands in history. Davis has been paired with some of the world's most famous talent and boasts a new CD release "Vibe Over Perfection."

For performance details or to purchase tickets, log on to www.LakeTahoeShakespeare.com.

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.

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