SAND HARBOR -- A discounted preview performance for locals and free matinees for children and families are being added to this year's Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.
Residents of Washoe County, Douglas County, the Carson Valley, Truckee, Calif., and the entire Lake Tahoe area are invited to the July 18 preview of "The Merry Wives of Windsor."
Discounted tickets will go for $23 for early seating, $13 for general admission and $8 for youths 15 and under. A valid ID with address must be presented at the box office.
The 2003 Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor State Park's natural sand dune amphitheater will run from July 17 to Aug. 24. The other comedy featured this year is "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
In addition, the 31st annual festival has scheduled free, abbreviated, matinee performances of "As You Like It," beginning at 10 a.m. from July 29-31, Aug. 5-7 and Aug. 12-14.
Seating for the children's matinee is on a first-come, first-served basis. Entrance to the state park is $6.
"The kid-friendly adaptation of 'As You Like It' will be a great way to introduce children to the theater with a shortened, easy-to-follow format," said Darolyn Skelton, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Festival.
"Not only is the play fun for children of all ages, but this program is one of the ways that the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival can give back to the community that provides so much support to our organization," she said.
Regular ticket prices for Friday and Saturday performances and for closing night Aug. 24 are: $65 reserved seats, $35 early seating, $25 general admission, with no youth tickets available.
For all other dates, early seating and general admission are $5 cheaper with youth tickets selling for $12.
ONE THE NET
Tahoe Shakespeare Festival: www.tahoebard.com