MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Plays The Root Family Stage 8/28, 8/29

This year there is a second chance to indulge in free Shakespeare at Olney Theatre Center with National Players' production of Much Ado About Nothing.

Much Ado About Nothing plays the Root Family Stage at Will's Place on Friday, August 28, and Saturday, August 29, at 8:00 p.m. These outdoor performances are free to the public; reservations are recommended. For reservations or more information, please call Olney's Box Office at 301.924.3400. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. A limited number of bleacher seats are available. See Fact Sheet below for details.

Much Ado About Nothing tells a story of the battle of the sexes. Old adversaries Beatrice and Benedick wage their merry war of witty insults while Benedick's friend Claudio is deceived into thinking that his beloved, Hero, has betrayed him. Potential tragedy yields to high comedy, however, as the lexically challenged Constable Dogberry stumbles upon the truth.

Much Ado About Nothing is being directed by Olney's Associate Artistic Director, Clay Hopper. He most recently directed Call of the Wild on the Olney Mainstage. In addition, he has been directing for National Players and Olney's Summer Shakespeare Festival since 2003. In 2002, he founded and produced a new play series called New Works/After Hours at Lincoln Center Institute's Clarke Studio Theatre.

This is the first year that Olney has offered two Summer Shakespeare Festival productions, giving audiences a second chance to enjoy Shakespeare under the stars for free. The first production was As You Like It this past May.

Since 1990, Olney Theatre Center's National Players has produced Summer Shakespeare, with the purpose of bringing plays of a classical nature to regional audiences in outdoor venues. The Summer Shakespeare Festival develops a new appreciation for "The Bard" by presenting classical dramas and comedies to families in a festival setting.TICKETS: FREE!

BOX OFFICE: 301.924.3400; olneytheatre.org. Please call for reservations.