LOS ANGELES -- Shakespeare Orange County opens its seventh season, July 16, with The Merry Wives of Windsor. The production will be directed by Carl Reggiardo, a founding member of SOC.

In Shakespeare's only comedy to be set in the everyday world of the English small town, the Bard satirizes the life and values of the countryside. The Merry Wives of Windsor follows Sir John Falstaff, an aging knight who fancies that he is still attractive, as he attempts to seduce two married women, with designs on their husbands' money.

Performing will be SOC Artistic Director Tom Bradac as Sir John Falstaff; and another founding member, Michael Nehring, as Mr. Ford. Don Took, a longtime company member with South Coast Repertory, will make his first SOC appearance in the role of Justice Shallow.

The Merry Wives performs in the Walthmar Theatre through Aug. 8. Show times are 8 PM Thursday through Saturday, and 3 PM Sunday. General admission is $24 for Saturday and $22 on other days. Reservations and information: (714) 744-7016.

-- By Michael Farkash
Southern California Correspondent