Los Gatos Shakespeare Festival Returns For 12th Season to Oak Meadow Park

The Los Gatos Shakespeare Festival begins its 12th season tonight Friday July 19 at 8 p.m. at Oak Meadow Park, 233 Blossom Hill Rd.

The 2013 repertoire features three plays: The Tragedy of Hamlet and The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare and The Further Adventures of the Three Musketeers, an original adaptation by Mark D. Pickens and a premiere production by Mark D. Pickens based on the characters of Alexandre Dumas.

Tickets are $15 for youth 17 and under and seniors 60 and over; and $22 for adults.

The festival, which runs through Aug. 10, is presented by the Festival Theatre Ensemble, the nonprofit group that represents all the actors, staff and volunteers who participate in the plays.

The names of the plays and their dates are as follows:

• The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, July 19, 27, Aug. 4, 9; directed by Bruce W. De Les Dernier.
• The Comedy of Errors, July 20, 28, Aug. 2, 10; directed by Bruce W De Les Dernier
• The Further Adventures of the Three Musketeers, July 21, 26, Aug. 3, 8; directed by Rachel Bakker.

Special events:

• Fight for the Train: 8 p.m. Aug. 1; fundraiser to benefit Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad. The FTE Fight Collective presents a fast and fun evening of stage combat demonstrations, fight scenes from well-known plays, black powder weapon demos, and more. Suitable for all ages; tickets are $5 at the door.
  
• Opera Night: 8 p.m. Aug. 7; Lyric Theatre and FTE present an evening of operetta highlights. Selections from the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, Victor Herbert and Jacques Offenbach. Soaring arias, romantic duets, and rousing choruses will thrill and delight you; tickets are $10 at the door.
  

Directed by De Les Dernier and Rachel Bakker, the fun summer festival has played to sold-out audiences for the past 11 years, said Zoe Zarkades, a spokesperson for the event.