The Shakespeare Festival/L.A. (SF/LA) celebrates its 17th season with the June 29 opening of a production of Shakespeare's comedy Much Ado About Nothing. The SF/LA production comprises a three venue outdoor series which will run June 29 - July 30 in Marina Del Rey, downtown L.A. and Palos Verdes.

With Much Ado, director Brendon Fox has created a modern atmosphere with a wink to the "screwball comedies of the '30s and '40s." He comes to the festival from the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, where his recent direction of Private Eyes was well received.

Performances begin in Marina Del Rey's Burton Chace Park on June 29 and will continue June 30, July 1 and 2 at 8:30 PM. The park is located at 13650 Mindanao Way.

Performances in downtown L.A.'s Pershing Square are scheduled July 6 - July 16 at 8:30 PM. (No performance on July 10). Pershing Square is located at 532 S. Olive St.

Admission for these first two runs, both Burton Chace Park and Pershing Square is free with a canned food donation for the Salvation Army's Feeding Families program. Reservations are necessary. Reserved seating and other privileges are available through low-priced memberships. Call (213) 489-4127. The third presentation of Much Ado will take place in Palos Verdes at the South Coast Botanic Gardens. Performances will be July 20 - 30 at 8.30 PM. (No performances on July 24 or 25). Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Call (310) 377-4316. The Gardens are located at 26300 Crenshaw Blvd. in Palos Verdes Peninsula.

-- By Murdoch McBride
and Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent