By Michelle Portesi
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Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Photo by Joy Strotz
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It’s time for the Bard on the Beach during Lake Tahoe’s annual Shakespeare at Sand Harbor event. Long time locals as well as visitors look forward to this every year for an evening of thespian delights overlooking one of Lake Tahoe’s most scenic beaches.
This year’s event hosts two plays, Shakespeare’s ‘Comedy of Errors’ and the jukebox musical ‘Forever Plaid’.
The productions almost always have an interesting twist, with performances, sets and costumes placed in settings and times other than the medieval. Even though you may have seen a particular Shakespearean play before, you are guaranteed to never have seen it quite like this.
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Photo by Joy Strotz
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In addition, every Monday hosts a variety of other performances under the stars. Broadway on the Beach sadly has already sold out, but there are still tickets for other performances, including the Sierra Nevada Ballet’s performance of Cinderella, the Reno Jazz Orchestra, Ann Hampton Callaway, a performance with the Reno Philharmonic of Ol’ Blue Eyes on the Beach and a Trails and Vistas World Concert.
The Monday night performances have become some of my favorites. The ballets are always lovely and with the lake as background, it always adds a touch of ethereal beauty to the performance.
Last year we were treated to an evening of The Beatles on the Beach with the Classical Mystery Tour, and I have to say, everyone had a blast. Not only was the music wonderful, but the musicians were as close to plausibly seeing the Beatles during their heyday as one is likely to get. By the end of the evening the crowd went wild, and there is nothing quite like seeing everyone from age 7 to 70 in a semi mosh pit in the front and singing along. The entire evening was a complete hoot and I only hope that the Shakespeare Festival will invite them back in the future.
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Last year’s Beatles on the Beach with the Classical Mystery Tour and the Reno Philharmonic. Photo by Michelle Portesi
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But the real fun of the Shakespeare Festival is getting together with friends and family for an evening under the stars. Packing a gourmet picnic dinner has usually been our thing, but the venue has added an impressive array of vendors on site, with gourmet dishes you can order ahead of time, which will be ready for pick up before you enter the show. Just the ticket for a hassle free evening on the beach.
The Shakespeare Festival starts July 8th and runs through August 21, with other special performances through September 10th. The Monday night Showcase Series tend to sell out fast, so order your tickets today!
For more information, order tickets and to even order your meals, go to: laketahoeshakespeare.com
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