Kingsmen Shakespeare Company prepares for 11th season

THOUSAND OAKS, CA – One of the region’s most popular outdoor Shakespeare theatre festivals is gearing up for its 11th summer season. Co-produced by the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company and California Lutheran University, the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival will present The Two Gentlemen of Verona and King Lear on the CLU campus Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from June 29 through Aug. 5 at 8 p.m.

The 2007 festival season will open with Two Gentlemen of Verona beginning on Friday, June 29, and continuing June 30, July 1, July 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15. King Lear performances will be held on July 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, Aug. 3, 4, 5. The grounds will open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking and pre-show entertainment with musicians, dancing, juggling and sword-fighting demonstrations.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona directed by Marc Silver
The Two Gentlemen of Verona relates the adventures of two friends, Valentine and Proteus. Valentine sets out on his travels alone because Proteus will not leave his beloved Julia behind in Verona. Julia is interested in Proteus' attention and treasures the love letter he has sent her, but feigns a mild rather than passionate interest. Proteus' father, Antonio, sends him on a mission to Milan. When he arrives at the Duke of Milan's court he finds that Valentine is there and has fallen in love with Silvia, the duke's daughter. Proteus, who has sworn love and fidelity to Julia, falls in love with Silvia at first sight. Valentine plans to elope with Silvia but the jealous Proteus tells the duke of the plot and Valentine is caught carrying a rope ladder to Silvia's window. The duke banishes Valentine, and Proteus woos Silvia with songs and declarations of love. Julia arrives in Milan, disguised as a pageboy named Sebastian. A series of adventures ensue, complete with a band of outlaws, jealous rages and finally a double wedding.

King Lear directed by Michael J. Arndt
King Lear is the story of an aging monarch who is a headstrong old man blinded by his weaknesses. It focuses on his decision to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on which one recites the best declaration of love. Goneril and Regan are his selfish daughters who pretend to love him but later treat him cruelly. Cordelia is his loyal, unselfish daughter. However, he disowns her after confusing her honesty with insolence. Edgar is the loyal son and heir, while Edmund is the evil bastard son. At first glance, the family appears to be loving and caring. But, as the characters unfold, greed, betrayal, lust for power, and cruelty are apparent family traits. The powerful play ends in tragedy.

“More than 100,000 people have enjoyed the festival atmosphere in beautiful Kingsmen Park over the past 10 years,” said Michael Arndt, a theatre arts professor and founder of the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival. “We look forward to greeting old friends and welcoming new audiences to a summer of Shakespearean theatre under the stars.”

Admission is $10 for adults, free for those under the age of 18. Lawn box seating is available for $65 and $50. For ticket and lawn box purchase information, call (805) 493-3455 or check the Web site at www.kingsmenshakespeare.org. The CLU campus is located at 60 W. Olsen Road in Thousand Oaks. Alcohol is prohibited on the campus.

Since 1997 the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company has brought Shakespearean plays to the community during the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival in California Lutheran University’s Kingsmen Park. The Kingsmen Shakespeare Company, a professional nonprofit theatre organization, also coordinates apprentice programs for professional and aspiring Shakespearean actors, sponsors Theatre in Education programs in local schools, and organizes summer theatre camps for youth.