Shakespeare Festival/L.A. will celebrate its 17th season with a production of Shakespeare's beloved comedy Much Ado About Nothing, which will play June 29-July 30 in outdoor venues in Marina Del Rey, downtown L.A. and Palos Verdes.

Director Brendon Fox has created a modern atmosphere with a wink to the screwball comedies of the 1930s 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 July 6-July 16 at 8:30 PM. (No performance on July 10). Pershing Square is located at 532 S. Olive St.

Admission for both Burton Chace Park and Pershing Square is free with a canned food donation (which will go to 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.In Palos Verdes at the South Coast Botanic Gardens, performances will be July 20-30 at 8.30 PM. (No performances on July 24 & 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 Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent