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Written by Morgan Kriz
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Tuesday, 29 July 2008 |
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 The regular season of the 2008 Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival will have performances through Sunday, Aug. 17, with shows running seven nights a week. This year’s performances include “A Midsummer Nights Dream” and “Richard III” and the new original musical “Cambio.”
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. For details, visit to www.LakeTahoeShakespeare.com
Aug. 26 – 27 at 7:30 p.m.: “A Midsummer NightMARE” returns after debuting to sold-out audiences in 2007 with breathtaking costumes, taunting music and an unforgettable show to stimulate the senses. 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.: Live music and spectacular dance serenade the Lake Tahoe audience when the Sierra Nevada Ballet presents "The Best of Broadway” On the Beach. International stars perform musical numbers from theatre’s most memorable productions such as “West Side Story,” “Show Boat,” “The Barkley's of Broadway,” “Top Hat” and more, courtesy of musicians Susan Mazer and Dallas Smith accompanied by renowned jazz singer Cami Thompson.
Sam Weber, "the fastest feet in tap," will lead a dynamic cast of dancers including Domingo Rubio from the Robert Altman movie "The Company" and the sensuous Ananda Bena-Weber. 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.: Spend an evening under the stars with five-time Grammy award nominee David Benoit, 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 including Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Dave Koz, Kenny Rankin, Faith Hill, David Lanz, Cece Winans, David Pack, David Sanborn, The Walt Disney Organization and Brian McKnight. His long association with Charles Schulz and the famed Peanuts realm led to over ten years of composing music for Peanuts TV specials on CBS.
August 31 at 7:30 p.m.: Join Jamie Davis and friends from the Count Basie Orchestra for an evening of big band jazz and soulful gospel music at Sand Harbor State Park. One of the great male vocalists with a full-deep baritone voice, Davis has been paired with some of the world's most famous talent including Patty Austin, Tony Bennett and George Benson, to name a few. Davis' solo CDs include “It's All About Love” and “It's A Good Thing” in addition to his newest release “Vibe Over Perfection.” The legendary Count Basie Orchestra, known as one of the most thriving big in bands in history, boasts over 17 Grammy awards and is famous for appearances and recordings with such music giants as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett.
Tickets for the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s Midsummer Night’s Series start at $27 with VIP tickets priced at $125 and include preferred reserved seating and exclusive pre-show and intermission meet and greets in Clarity with the artistic staff. Tickets are now available online with reduced handling fees at or by calling 888-32-SHOWS ().
 Young Shakespeare Program
The 2008 D.G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare Program presents an interactive, one hour interpretation of Shakespeare's Classic, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” set in contemporary times and created with the young audience member in mind.
Presented in collaboration with The Nevada Shakespeare Company, these performances will take the work of the bard to several venues throughout the Reno-Carson-Tahoe-Truckee region. All performances are free to young people of all ages and their chaperones. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and reservations are required for these performances.
Nevada State Parks parking fee is $8 per vehicle. Please call the Parks staff directly at to reserve parking and unloading arrangements for buses.
For more information about D. G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare Program or to make a donation towards our educational outreach efforts visit
Performance schedule:
Wednesday, July 30
10 a.m.
Sand Harbor State Park
Thursday, July 31
9:30 a.m.
Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheatre at Bartley Ranch
Friday, August 1
9:30 a.m.
Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheatre at Bartley Ranch
Tuesday, August 5
10 a.m.
Sand Harbor State Park
Wednesday, August 6
11 a.m.
Tahoe Tallac at Valhalla (South Lake Tahoe)
Thursday, August 7
10 a.m.
Sand Harbor State Park
Friday, August 8
9:30 a.m.
Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheatre at Bartley Ranch
Midsummer's Camp
2008 marks the start of our Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s week long summer theatre camp program — A Midsummer's Camp. A Midsummer's Camp will offer camp goers the chance to transition from being an informed audience participant, to Shakespeare scholar and finally, to actor. These week-long theatre camps are designed specifically for children and young adults to “get into the act.” Lead camp instructors are both seasoned theatre professionals and theatre educators, trained to enrich your child's summer expereince.
The camp will run daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Incline Village, with a culminating performance on our beautiful Sand Harbor stage. Enrollment fee includes a free camp t-shirt and one complimentary ticket to an evening performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The cost is $395 per session. For questions regading A Midsummer’s Camp, e-mail
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or call .
Midsummer’s Camp dates:
August 4-8: For ages 8-13
August 11-15: For ages 14-17
Sweet Sounds Under The Stars at Sand Harbor
In this 36th season, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival has added live music to two of our three productions.
Kelvin Mockingbird
Contemporary interpretation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Grammy nominated Kelvin Mockingbird, a Native American flutist, is featured in this season’s contemporary interpretation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Mockingbird’s character and music represents the spirit voice of nature, offering the audience a walk between modern culture and ancient Native American traditions, a slight twist on this much loved production.
Kelvin Mockingbird has been performing the Native American Flute and telling Medicine Stories of the Dineh for the past 16 years recording nine albums. Mockingbird was nominated in 2003 for Best Native American Album and also has won several awards from the Native American Music Awards and the Flagstaff Music Awards.
Kelvin Mockingbird believes that the power of music can engage the mind, spirit and physical being in order to connect and ground people with the land and spirits around them. He shares this gift of music and ancient story telling as he has been fortunate to receive such talents, and feels that no one should be closed from the borders of music. Through his music, Mockingbird hopes that he can help humankind harmonize with each other and vocalize with the universe.
Participating in A Midsummer Night's Dream as a live music element with his natural carved wood Native American flute, Mockinbirds's character and music represents the spirit voice of nature offering the audience a walk between modern culture and ancient Native American traditions and offers new dimensionality to the much loved production.
“Kelvin’s role (in A Midsummer Night’s Dream) really captures the spirituality and magic of nature. His art is deeply rooted in his culture which is authenticated by him and the instrument itself, from the natural wood to the use of breath.” — guest director, Michael Walling
To learn more about Kelvin Mockingbird or purchase his music online, visit:
Omar Alexander
CAMBIO - Music Director & Composer
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. Individually, members of Soulare have shared stages and studios with a host of salsa, rock, jazz, Latin and R&B greats including Bruce Springsteen, Maceo Parker, Gloria Estefan and Norah Jones.
“CAMBIO” is an original musical love story set in modern day Havana and is about change happening today in revolutionary Cuba. Co-written by Festival Artistic Director Jan Powell and Portland, Ore., playwright Carol Dane, “CAMBIO” makes its debut at this year’s Festival.
Omar Alexander is a new generation U.S. Latin music artist virtuoso - a singer, songwriter, composer and musician with a Latin Gypsy Funk Rock musical style. Born to a Colombian mother and Indian father, Omar Alexander’s fierce Bohemian warrior-poet musings represent the bilingual, multicultural U.S. Latino generation; optimistically defining itself on its own terms. With Soulare, his hard-funking band of professional musical brothers from all over the globe — including the U.S., Colombia, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Holland and Israel — Omar Alexander falls within the recent powerful wave of U.S. Latin and first generation immigrant artists who grew up influenced by Latin, American and World Music. Omar Alexander’s powerful, rough, melodic gypsy-like voice was developed from his lifelong exposure to his father’s Sufi and Hindu devotional music (notably Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Hari Om Sharan).
His mother’s musica llanera Colombiana — a type of Colombian folk music from the countryside where she was born — exposed him to its own brand of poignant poetry. From his older siblings, Omar Alexander grew up with 70’s sounds - from soul and funk music, to rock anthems, to the early pioneers of salsa and flamenco. Artists of conscience and heart are the ones that continue to influence him to this day: Stevie Wonder, Santana, the Latin Jazz of Ray Barretto and Eddie Palmieri, the Flamenco of Paco de Lucía and El Camarón de la Isla, to modern day artists that include Prince, Seal and U2. Pull every single one of these diverse influences together, and you have the explosive combination that is Omar Alexander.
Wine and Dine Before the Festival Performance
Shakespeare’s Kitchen, the Festival’s food and beverage area located inside the theatre gates, offers an assortment of fare at every price level. 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.
This year, in conjunction with the Festival’s presentation of “CAMBIO,” diners can enjoy menu items with a Cuban flair including One-Minute Mojitos and Cuban-style pulled pork sandwiches. Prior to each performance guests can also visit Shakespeare’s Vineyard and for $25 receive a Festival wine glass and a sampling of five wines from California growers and international vineyards.
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.
Save Fuel
With gas prices sky-rocketing, let the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival do the driving to Lake Tahoe and take the worry out of the additional expense. The Festival’s special Globe Seating package includes round-trip shuttle transportation from either Reno or Incline Village right to the Sand Harbor venue. Patrons enjoy the relaxation of having someone else do the driving as well as pre-set seating in the Globe section, located adjacent to the lower gallery section, for an evening complete with stars, sand and live Shakespeare in a one-of-a-kind lakeside setting.
Reno Round-trip Shuttle Transportation to Sand Harbor and Festival Tickets:
Departs from Summit Sierra Mall from the Park and Ride Lot adjacent to Herz Lane at 4 p.m.
$52 Monday through Thursday
$57 Friday through Sunday
Incline Village Round-trip Shuttle Transportation to Sand Harbor and Festival Tickets: Departs from the D.W. Reynolds Community Center at 948 Incline Way in Incline Village at 5:15 p.m.
$42 Monday through Thursday
$47 Friday through Saturday
Advance reservations required.
Summary of the plays:
“Richard III” combines it all—action, sensuality, historic events, larger than life characters and humor—making it one of Shakespeare’s most revered performances. 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. Advancing his purposes through shrewd manipulation, Richard III feigns tenderheartedness one moment and in the next orders the murder of his innocent nephews, the princes, and shortly thereafter attempts to persuade their mother to let him marry their sister, his niece. The action of the play accelerates until the brutal climax and yet Richard III is perhaps the most charming villain to take the stage. Directed by Powell, “Richard III” entertains audiences with dazzling swordplay and a glimpse into two tumultuous years in England’s history.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a complex and thought-provoking comedy as well as one of the Bard’s most original plays. Guest director Michael Walling, who is the artistic director for London’s Border Crossings Theatre, provides his take on the performance by incorporating the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe into the production, drawing inspiration from the area’s rich Native American heritage in contrast to its contemporary inhabitants. Beginning with the celebration of the impending marriage of Duke Theseus and Hippolyta, the festivities are interrupted by a dispute over Hermia’s arranged marriage. The story takes a turn as Hermia flees her marital fate and retreats into the woods with her true love to secretly marry, pursued by her betrothed and the girl that pines for him. The two couples, along with a troupe of mechanicals who are rehearsing for a play in the woods for the Duke’s wedding celebration, become entwined in the mischievous plot of the fairy king and his trickster servant Puck. As the two conspire to sabotage the fairy queen, the four lovers and one of the mechanicals become unwitting victims of a love elixir administered by Puck. The lovers’ shifting affections create havoc in the forest until Puck creates a heavy fog to lead the characters back to sleep and applies the antidote. Upon waking, all the young people find they are in love with the right person and the fairy king and his foe reconcile, just in time to head off to a gala triple wedding and hilarious performance acted by the mechanicals.
“CAMBIO” is an original musical love story created exclusively for the Festival and inspired by Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Set in modern day Havana, “CAMBIO” is a passionate and powerful love story about a poor young man who is a social outcast and the rebellious and disdainfully beautiful woman he loves from afar. Social caste, the poverty of Cuba and the constraints of an inflexible regime make his situation seem hopeless. But the two are more alike than he can imagine. Driven by an original score of rock and salsa-inspired music and written and directed by Powell, “CAMBIO” combines brilliantly colorful costuming and exhilarating dance with deep emotion and a touch of comedy into this thought-provoking context.
More about The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival
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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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 29 July 2008 )
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