Shady Shakespeare Theatre Company Launches Its 2006 Summer Season -- Love vs. Fate -- The Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Shady Shakespeare Theatre Company (SSTC) announces the commencement of its 2006 Season -- Love vs. Fate. Following the success SSTC had last year with its first two-show summer season, SSTC is continuing with providing a repertory season of two of Shakespeare's best-loved plays: The Taming of the Shrew (directed by Angie Higgins and Artistic Ensemble Member Sharon Salazar) and Romeo and Juliet (directed by Co-Artistic Director Larry Barrott). The plays will perform in repertory style, alternating performance evenings, Friday through Sunday, August 11 - September 17, 2006 at Sanborn-Skyline County Park in Saratoga, CA. All performances start at 7pm and admission is free.

The theme for the season looks at how love is often thrown into a battle with the uncontrollable force of fate. "Each pair of lovers in this season's shows must face the consequences of falling in love at a time when they least expected it, but were fated to do so. For one couple, fate is brutal in its destruction of their love. For the other couple, fate is the powerful force which pulls them together," said Sara Betts, SSTC's Co-Artistic Director.

Set in the turbulent times of the Wild West, The Taming of the Shrew follows the equally turbulent relationship of Kate and Petruchio as these two strong-willed people face off in the middle of town. "Within the disguises, deception, conflict, and banter of The Taming of the Shrew, we find a comedy that isn't afraid to laugh at itself," state directors Angie Higgins and Sharon Salazar. "We would like to give you a fun filled romp through the Wild West, and leave you with the satisfaction of knowing that there is someone out there for everyone."

Capturing the beauty of the story and language of Shakespeare's best-loved romance, SSTC's production of Romeo and Juliet is set in the opulent time of the Italian Renaissance. "I wanted to keep the play relatively traditional, setting it in the Italian Renaissance and preserving the bawdiness, beauty and violence that were trademarks of Shakespeare's theatre," states director Larry Barrott. "In looking at Romeo and Juliet, I was fascinated by his use of the Chorus, a character that arrives at the outset of the play to tell us, the audience, how the story will end," Barrott continued. "Considering the interesting intersection of the concepts of pre-destination and freewill, a religious issue hotly debated during the Elizabethan era, I wanted to examine the Chorus as Fate -- an entity that observes and can influence events."

For more information about SSTC and its 2006 Summer Season, please visit our web site at www.shadyshakes.org, email [e-mail], or call 408-298-0649.

SHOW INFORMATION

        Shady Shakespeare Theatre Company's 2006 Summer Season
                          -- Love vs. Fate --

         The Taming of the Shrew -- August 11, 12, 13, 26, 27;
                        September 1, 9, 10, 15

               Romeo and Juliet -- August 18, 19, 20, 25;
                       September 2, 3, 8, 16, 17

          The Outdoor Theatre at Sanborn-Skyline County Park;
                  16055 Sanborn Rd., Saratoga, 95070

                   7pm curtain for all performances

                            Free Admission

    Seating: Some seating is provided, but we always leave room for
    blankets and low-backed chairs, as long as they do not block the
    view of others. Come early to get the best seats.

    Parking: Public parking is available at the park for a fee of
    $5.00 per vehicle.

    Clothing and Food: Theatergoers are encouraged to dress in layers,
    as it gets cool in the evening. Families are welcome, as are
    picnics. Snacks, wine, and beverages both hot and cold will be
    available at the concessions stand.

    Donations: Hats and baskets are passed around at the end of
    performances.

About Shady Shakespeare

Shady Shakespeare Theatre Company (SSTC) is an outdoor theatre company based in the South Bay dedicated to providing free public performances of William Shakespeare's and other notable author's works to communities of the Peninsula and South Bay since 1999. SSTC believes in the power of Shakespeare's works to speak to modern audiences, and strives to create productions that are just as enjoyable, moving, enlightening and accessible today as they were during Elizabethan England. SSTC performs its summer season at the Outdoor Theatre at Sanborn-Skyline County Park in Saratoga, CA, as well as smaller performances around the South Bay throughout the rest of the year. Headquartered in San Jose, CA, SSTC is affiliated with Theatre Bay Area, the Nomadic Theatre & Dance Company Task Force, and with the Silicon Valley Arts Coalition.

www.shadyshakes.org