University Park, PA -- The State College Shakespeare Festival, in its fourth year of operation and second year of collaboration with the Penn State University Libraries, presents its 2003 "Shakespeare at Pattee" offering, William Shakespeare's classic comedy Much Ado About Nothing, May 30–June 1. Performances are at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30; at 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 31; and at 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 1. There will also be a preview performance at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 29.

Performances are outdoors in front of Pattee Library, at the head of the Mall on the Penn State campus. Due to construction on the Pattee steps, the performance will take place on the lawn just in front of the library. Admission is free.

The State College Shakespeare Festival, a non-profit community organization, first brought "Shakespeare at the Palmer" to the Palmer Museum of Art plaza in 2000 and 2001. Audience response to the free, professional-quality performances was enthusiastic, and in 2002 the Festival moved to larger quarters at Pattee, forging a new partnership with the Libraries, The collaboration grew out of a conversation between Dean Nancy L. Eaton and Festival president Charles Dumas, associate professor of Theatre and African/African American Studies.

Much Ado About Nothing is among Shakespeare's most beloved comedies. It features a tangled web of romantic intrigue in which wit carries the day, and nothing is as it appears. Young lovers Hero and Claudio have their wedding jeopardized by the trickery of the villainous Don John, while comic combatants Beatrice and Benedick fall prey to a scheme hatched by their friends to turn them into lovebirds. The Festival cast is composed of Penn State School of Theatre students, professionals, and local community actors. Cast members returning from previous Festival seasons include School of Theatre students Megan Christine Thomas and Joshua Cole as Beatrice and Benedick, and professional actor Wilson Hutton as Constable Dogberry. Kelly Haney directs.

The performance is about ninety minutes in length. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. As always, lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets are welcome. In case of inclement weather, the shows will go on as scheduled in 111 Forum Building, on the Penn State Campus between the Arts Building and the Palmer Museum.

***

Editor's Contact:
Wilson Hutton, 814-865-0401