CELEBRATING 39 YEARS OF ACCLAIMED THEATER AT ONE OF THE NATION’S MOST BREATHTAKING LOCATIONS…

This summer the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival presents Shakespeare’s comic masterpiece, TWELFTH NIGHT – an exhilarating production that features beautiful costumes, lavish sets and one of the most talented professional acting companies in the West!

2011 season
Twelfth Night
July 15 – August 21, 2011 – Tickets Available Now!

This summer the Festival returns to traditional Shakespeare with one of the Bard’s greatest comedies, Twelfth Night, directed by Producing Artistic Director, Charlie Fee. “We promised our faithful audience a return to ‘real’ Shakespeare last year – and we’re delivering on that promise”, says Fee of this season’s production. Fee states, “I am thrilled to be directing this wildly funny, deeply moving play. Expect a lavish production with gorgeous costumes and extraordinary sets and beautiful music…performed with wit and clarity by one of the best professional acting companies in the West!”

After a shipwreck on an unknown shore, and the loss of her twin brother Sebastian, young Viola must pose as a man to survive in Shakespeare’s luminous comedy of mistaken identity and passionate romance. Filled with music, swordplay, dancing and revelry, Twelfth Night is sure to enchant the entire family!

Broadway on the Beach!
Monday, July 18, 2011 – Tickets Available Now!

Laura Jackson Conducting
Special guest: Broadway stars Doug Labrecque and Stephanie Block

Grab your beach chair, stick your toes in the sand and enjoy the magical music of the Phil with Broadway stars Doug LaBrecque and Stephanie Block singing all the songs you love. One of the most prolific concert performers of his generation, Mr. LaBrecque has been a soloist with some of the world’s finest symphony orchestras including The National Symphony, The Israel Philharmonic (Tel Aviv), as well as Chicago, Cleveland, Atlanta, and San Francisco. Mr. LaBrecque performed with the Phil in 2008, with Broadway star Debbie Gravitte at Pops on the River to smashing reviews. Ms. Block’s most recent Broadway smash was 9-to-5 working alongside Dolly Parton and Allison Janney. Before that, she was starring as “Elphaba” in the Broadway Company of Wicked.

Sierra Nevada Ballet Presents
Best of Broadway
Monday, July 25, 2011 – Tickets Available Now!

This spectacular musical theater medley, designed especially for the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, is filled with the fabulous singing of Cami Thompson with the live music of the Cami Thompson trio and the spectacular dancing of the Sierra Nevada Ballet. Musical numbers from some of the all time favorite musicals such as Show Boat, Sweet Charity, Hello Dolly and more will offer “a vivid performance under the stars for all ages and musical interests,” according to Artistic Director, Rosine Bena.

A highlight of the night will include a “Dance with the Stars, Under the Stars” performance from some of the area’s more admired residents paired with the Ballet’s professional artists.

Mumbo Gumbo
Monday, August 1, 2011 – Tickets Available Now!

For over 20 years Mumbo Gumbo has been one of Northern California’s top groups, releasing 9 original CDs and collecting numerous “Sammie” and “Best of Sacramento awards. The 7-piece band tours the Western United States, bringing their “genre-bending Americana” music to their many fans. Their big musical stew contains elements of soul, zydeco, folk, blues, rock, cajun, Caribbean, and country all mixed into their uniquely festive roots-music sound.

Chautauqua
Monday, August 8, 2011 – Tickets Available Now!

Doug Watson brings twenty years of historical characterization experience to his presentation of American humorist Will Rogers, an Indian-cowboy, one of the nation’s most beloved faces and voices of the 1920s and 30s.

Known as the Bandit Queen or The Petticoat Terror of the Plains, Belle Starr has taken her place in history among the outlaws and desperados of what was then known as Indian Territory and what is now Oklahoma. Acclaimed storyteller and living history performer, Karen Vuranch brings this remarkable woman to life.

Jelly Bread
Monday, August 15, 2011 – Tickets Available Now!

“Dirty ensemble chops, rich vocal dexterity, and solid lyrical flows make Jelly Bread a legitimate festival act with huge potential…”

“Music meant for a night of soul healing on the dance floor with a little granola for breakfast…”

Jelly Bread is the combination of a pumping rhythm section that grew up together playing in a gospel band, an award-winning singer/songwriter who approaches music from a Ben Harper/John Butler point of view, rootsy funk/rock guitar licks with a bit of dirt under the nails. Steeped in roots, wallowing in funk, and marinated in soul, Jelly Bread’s sound is all wrapped up in the groove. Thumping bass lines, catchy guitar riffs, and phenomenal drum beats blend with stay in your head vocal harmonies to classify them as a perfect festival band. Known as a high energy live act that loves to jam, they also write with surprising pop sensibilities… and like jelly, they’ll stick to you.

The 3rd Annual
Bluegrass & Beyond Music and Art Festival

August 27th & 28th – Tickets Available Now!

Attention all Bluegrass music lovers! The Hatch Family and Pet Projekt are excited to announce the lineup for the 3rd annual Bluegrass & Beyond Music and Art Festival – which will make its debut this season at scenic Sand Harbor State Park on the shore of Lake Tahoe.

This year’s Festival will feature performances by legendary musicians including: the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Keller and the Keels, Danny Barnes, Hot Buttered Rum, and many others*. In addition, on August 27th the Festival will focus on the “beyond” with a late night performance at Mont Bleu Resort featuring The Pimps of Joytime, Eprom and Groove Session.

This year’s Festival is thrilled to move to what is quickly becoming known as one of the most scenic venues in all of the country. One of the goals in creating the Bluegrass & Beyond Music and Art Festival was to welcome musicians and music lovers to the region’s extraordinary mountain community and help transform it into a destination for Bluegrass fans across the nation. Founded as a one day beer and Bluegrass bash on the loading dock of the Mt. Tallac Brewing Co. organized by South Lake Tahoe musician Andy Hatch and his wife Jenny, the Festival grew exponentially. After two great years, the founders realized their vision of bringing bigger Bluegrass artists to the region with Lake Tahoe as a backdrop and the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival proved a perfect partner at Sand Harbor State Park.

The Bluegrass & Beyond Music and Art Festival is unique in its appeal and a family-friendly event that has experienced steady, organic growth because of the honest, authentic flow of its extraordinary artists and amazing musicians.

*In addition, the Festival is proud to have a full line-up including: Hot Buttered Rum, Danny Barnes, The Bucky Walters, Buster Blue, Bison, The Trespassers, Thick Soup, Wild Horse Drive and The Jug Stomped.

NEW in 2011: We’re shakin’ things up!

No Ticket Fees! We have eliminated all ticket service fees this season! From now on, the price is the price. The new, patron-friendly policy applies to all purchases (phone, online, etc.)

All Lower Gallery Seating Is Assigned! Assigned Lower Gallery seating enables you to avoid protracted early arrivals to stand in long lines and claim formerly open seating. In 2011, assigned beach chairs will be waiting for all patrons that purchase tickets in the Lower Gallery section.

Upper Gallery Seating Includes Pre-set Beach Chairs! Chairs are provided at no cost and we’ve kept the open beach for blanket seating in the sand.

http://www.laketahoeshakespeare.com/ for more info!
Our Main Gates Open at 5:00 p.m.! Enjoy a drink or dinner from Shakespeare’s Kitchen before the show beginning at 5:00p.m. The entrance to the amphitheatre will open at 5:30 p.m..

Shakespeare’s Vineyard Is Revamped! Enjoy daily wine tastings from Robert Mondavi’s Napa Valley Vineyards at our on-site tasting room, Shakespeare’s Vineyard. For the wine enthusiasts, enjoy exquisite, high-end reserve wines from California and Italy every Wednesday with our wine expert, Frank Cates. Learn more.