Editor’s note: This column invites local arts and entertainment organizations to preview upcoming events in their own words.

Summer nights and Shakespeare have become a national pastime all over America, and for the past 29 years TheatreWorks has made sure Shakespeare has played well in the Pikes Peak Region. 

The acclaimed professional company celebrates Shakespeare this season with a new production of “Love’s Labor’s Lost” in the festival tent at Rock Ledge Ranch, from August 2-26. Audiences are invited to picnic on the grounds before the 7:30 performances, and enjoy the pre-show music performed by cast members.

The cast is comprised largely of the finest and funniest actors in town, including Sammie Joe Kinnett, Bob Rais, Ben Bonenfant, Jordan Mathews and Amy Brooks. 

As usual, TheatreWorks promises to faithfully deliver the words of the Bard in a fresh and distinctive production. Here TheatreWorks artistic director Murray Ross, who also directs “Loves Labor’s Lost,” talks about this infrequently produced play, love and the key to being much, much happier this summer.

Question: “Love’s Labor’s Lost” isn’t exactly one of Shakespeare’s greatest hits, is it?Answer: No, in fact it wasn’t played for nearly 200 years after Shakespeare died. But when the play returned to the stage in the last century, audiences discovered it was very funny, surprisingly accessible and positively Shakespearean. Kids liked it too.

Q: It is a comedy, right?A: Right! Well, mostly. Four young aristocrats of Navarre take an oath to get serious about their studies. They swear off extra sleep, rich food and all women for three years. These are very smart guys. Then four lovely French women arrive at their court. You can guess what follows.

Q: So, it’s all about love?A: Yes, it’s about love play, and word play, too. It’s Shakespeare, so they go together. The play is full of gorgeous love talk, love sonnets and love games. Everyone in Navarre is in love with love, in love with language and the language is enthusiastic, rapturous and sometimes silly, very much like love itself.

Q: Is there anyone else besides lover boys and French girls in Shakespeare’s Navarre?A: There’s a fantastic Spanish knight, sort of a cross between Don Quixote and Salvador Dali, a robust clown, a hot wench, a dumb cop, a smart kid, a blithering schoolmaster and his sidekick, the simpering priest. They all decide to put on a play. It’s an amazing effort. Oh, yes, there is also a mess of Russians. And, possibly, a food fight.

Q: And it all ends happily?A: Well, that’s the thing. It’s a comedy for about two hours and then something happens and it’s not so funny anymore. Things don’t quite work out, as you might have guessed from the play’s title.

Q: Isn’t that strange?A: Neil Simon once said he wanted to write a play that had everyone in the audience laughing for the better part of two hours, and then in tears for the last five minutes. He knew that was impossible, and he never tried. But in “Love’s Labor’s Lost,” Shakespeare comes close. It’s a wonderful play.

Q: What else is special about this summer’s Shakespeare?A: It’s affordable and it’s in Rock Ledge Ranch, the loveliest place in town on an August night. We have a great bunch of actors, who are clever, charming and funny. And we have William Shakespeare, America’s favorite summertime playwright. Shakespeare makes you smarter, braver, better looking, and happier — much, much happier!

Sammie Joe Kinnett, Kevin Landis, Amy Brooks and Tracy Hazas in TheatreWorks’ production of “Loves Labor’s Lost.” Photo by

Murray Ross Photo by