This will mark Moscone's 10th year as leader. The slate includes a provocative comedy of George Bernard Shaw, and "brand-new productions featuring two of Shakespeare's most intriguing couples [the Macbeths and Beatrice and Benedick]."

Moscone stated, "I am beyond thrilled to produce our first-ever commissioned new play for our Main Stage, the world premiere of John Steinbeck's The Pastures of Heaven. This uniquely California story is the culmination of a two-year process with playwright Octavio Solis and Word for Word Performing Arts Company in San Francisco. Octavio is one of our country's most poetic, wittiest and utterly original playwrights, and his adaptation of Steinbeck's early novel promises to be a very special event in our company's 36-year history."

John Steinbeck's The Pastures of Heaven, directed by Moscone, will run June 5-27, 2010. Developed as part of Cal Shakes' New Works/New Communities program in collaboration with San Francisco's Word for Word Performing Arts Company, and based on Steinbeck’s 1932 novel of interconnected short stories, "this richly theatrical play depicts comic and heartbreaking characters in their quest for happiness in the seemingly idyllic landscape of Steinbeck's own Salinas Valley."

Timothy Near, former artistic director of San Jose Repertory Theatre, returns with the season's second production, Shaw's Mrs. Warren’s Profession, July 10-Aug. 1, 2010.

Joel Sass will direct an eight-person adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth, Aug. 21-Sept. 12, 2010. It will be followed by Moscone's production of Much Ado About Nothing, Sept. 22-Oct. 17, 2010. The 2010 season marks Cal Shakes' 20th season at the magnificent Bruns Amphitheater, located in the Siesta Valley between Orinda and Berkeley, CA.

For season subscription information, call 510.548.9666 or visit www.calshakes.org.