SOC Summons a Storm of Comedy with George M. Cohan's THE TAVERN, Now thru 8/30

A raging storm of laughs will hit the Shakespeare/Summerfest Orange County stage as George M. Cohan's comedy, The Tavern performs today, August 9-30. As part of SOC's commitment to a diverse season, The Tavern will provide audiences with a turn of the century comedy for all ages. Among new faces to SOC -- including Ovation Award nominated Bo Foxworth -- many SOC regulars will return for this production, as well as Producing Artistic Director John Walcutt.

On a dark stormy night, thunder and gun shots ring through the air. A vagabond and a mysterious woman are discovered. As the tavern master attempts to learn who they are, the Governor and his family arrive at his door seeking shelter. A mystery unfolds with hilarious twists and turns that catch everyone off guard. As the storm howls outside, the truth unravels inside the tavern with hilarious results. Mike Peebler, who was last seen in SOC's 2013 Macbeth, returns to direct.

The cast of The Tavern includes Bo Foxworth, Craig Brown, Connor Dugard, Mikki Pagdonsolan, Dianne Manaster, John Walcutt, Gene Godwin, Bonnie Walker, Monique Marie Gelineau, Morgan Lauff, Mike Fountain, Donathan Walters, Nicholas Thurkettle, Michael Richie and Louis Jack.

Established actor and SOC veteran, John Walcutt now leads Shakespeare/Summerfest Orange County as its new Artistic Director. The 2014 season marks major changes to SOC including an expanded diverse season, guest productions and an educational program. "Our new mandate is 'One big family under the stars' as we spend this summer building bridges," said John Walcutt. "These bridges stretch from the storied history of SOC's past with Tom Bradac, the city of Garden Grove and our loyal subscribers. As well as into new frontiers like the Garden Grove School District, the library system, Orange County High School of The Performing Arts, the Vietnamese-American Community, the Pacific Rim Community of Garden Grove, our Hispanic Community, Korean and Chinese Americans, and, yes, even Hollywood! All are welcomed and invited to our beautiful park venue. Something remarkable is happening at The Garden Grove Amphitheater."

Season tickets may be purchased online at the Shakespeare/Summerfest Orange County website: www.shakespeareoc.org or by calling (714) 590-1575. Individual tickets are $25 for each production. Special discounted tickets and group rates are available: Thursday Nights are "Pay What You Want" at the door, and Friday Night tickets are $7 if you buy after 7 p.m. at the door. The Festival Amphitheater is located in Euclid Park: 12762 Main St. Garden Grove, CA 92840.

Shakespeare/Summerfest Orange County was originally founded as The Grove Shakespeare Festival by Founding Artistic Director Thomas F. Bradac during the late 1970's. The Grove Shakespeare Festival provided award-winning productions with strong support from the city of Garden Grove. After a change of venues to The Waltmar Theatre at Chapman University and a change of name to Shakespeare Orange County, SOC returned home to the Garden Grove Amphitheatre for many more summers under the stars. In 2013, Thomas Bradac announced his retirement as Producing Artistic Director and that SOC regular, John Walcutt, would take over as Producing Artistic Director. With John Walcutt at the head, SOC moves forward to forge stronger connections with its local community and continue as Orange County's premiere Shakespeare theatre now renamed as Shakespeare/Summerfest Orange County.

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