RICHARD III Begins Previews at Shakespeare Orange County Tonight, 7/19

Shakespeare Orange County has announced its 21st season: Richard III, Venus and Adonis and Much Ado About Nothing. Richard III will feature John Walcutt in the title role with Carl Reggiardo directing the production. According to Producing Artistic Director, Thomas F. Bradac, "2012 promises to be the most ambitious season in our twenty one year old history." Bradac will direct both Venus and Adonis and Much Ado About Nothing. The award winning company performs in the 550-seat Festival Amphitheatre in Garden Grove, Calif.

John Walcutt returns to the Festival Amphitheatre as Richard III after appearing as Cassius in last season's production of Julius Caesar. An accomplished actor, Walcutt has been featured in over 200 film and television shows including Titanic, Sea Biscuit, Little Miss Sunshine, Grey's Anatomy, and Mad Men. Theatre credits include work for South Coast Repertory, The Old Globe in San Diego, La Jolla Playhouse, and The Mark Taper Forum.

Richard III is about a quest for power. As sociopath and master politician, Richard ambitiously schemes to take the English throne, disposing a minimum of twelve bodies along the way. Victims include his brother, two children, and his wife-it's a family affair. Richard's intimate conversations with his audiences about his plans increase the suspense of the story, and finally, all ends in war with Richard on the battlefield, and the future Henry VII deposing the villain. The production runs from tonight, July 19 to August 4.

Coming direct from Prague, SOC's staging of Shakespeare's romantic and highly erotic poem, Venus and Adonis, will be presented for two performances only on August 10 & 11. The company was invited to perform at this year's internationally acclaimed Praha Fringe Festival in the Czech Republic. Venus and Adonis is a stunning, wry, poignant, erotic poem laden with theatricality, irony, passion and pathos. The production features Evelyn Carol Case, Michael Nehring, Michael D. Fountain, Misha Bouvion, Alyssa Bradac and Amanda Zarr.

The season concludes with one of the bard's most recognized comedies about love and romance---Much Ado About Nothing. This "Much Ado" features Michael Nehring as Benedict, and Evelyn Carol Case as Beatrice. It's a battle of the sexes with capers, carrying on, and scheming like you've never seen before. It will run August 16-September 1.

RICHARD III: Previews tonight, July 19--Opens on Friday, July 20 and plays through August 4.

VENUS & ADONIS: Limited Engagement---Plays August 10 & 11 only.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: Previews on August 16--Opens on Friday, August 17 and plays through September 1.

All three productions will be presented at The Festival Amphitheatre, 12762 Main Street, Garden Grove. Performances of Richard III and Much Ado About Nothing run Thursdays thru Saturdays. All productions begin at 8:15 p.m. Season subscriptions are now available. For more information call the SOC box office at (714) 744-7016.

http://www.shakespeareoc.org/

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