(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – July 7, 2010) The 14th Annual Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival will present “The Winter’s Tale” for the first time to conclude its 2010 summer season at California Lutheran University.

Performances are slated at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from July 23 through Aug. 8 in scenic Kingsmen Park.

“The Winter’s Tale” is a dream-like story that explores the themes of jealousy, love, honor and rebirth. Convinced that his pregnant wife has been unfaithful to him with his childhood friend, King Leontes of Sicilia orders that his friend be killed and his wife imprisoned. Time brings reflection and repentance. The story is tragic and comic, solemn and irreverent.

Director Susan Angelo is the education director and a resident artist at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. She is returning to the Kingsmen festival after directing “Twelfth Night” in 2003. She conducts Shakespeare workshops at many high schools and colleges including CLU, New York University and University of California, Los Angeles.

Richard Baird, who played the title role in last year’s production of “Macbeth,” is Leontes. Veteran stage actress Aaryon Kopp is making her debut appearance with the festival as Leontes’ wife, Hermione. Travis Brazil, who began his career with The Royal Shakespeare Company and has performed on many European and American stages, returns to the festival after two years to portray Leontes’ friend, Polixenes, the King of Bohemia.

The festival grounds open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking. Pre-show entertainment featuring Renaissance music, comic Shakespearean improvisations and wandering performers begins at 6:45 p.m.

Tickets are $15 and free for those under 18. Reserved lawn box seating is $60 to $75. Parking is available at the corner of Mountclef Boulevard and Olsen Road.

The Kingsmen Shakespeare Company is the professional theatre company of CLU. In addition to producing one of the area’s most popular outdoor theatrical events, it provides apprentice programs, an educational tour program and summer theater camps for youth.

For more information, visit http://www.kingsmenshakespeare.org or call (805) 493-3455.