I missed the boat on blogging about this earlier—bad blogger! bad!—but this weekend Lay It Out Events’ Shakespeare in the Park returns for its second year and is featuring the play “Much Ado About Nothing” in Drake Park tonight, and in Sunriver at the SHARC on Sunday.

Lay It Out Events and Portland’s Northwest Classical Theatre Company bring the Bard back to Bend for two brilliant performances of one of his most beloved comedies, Much Ado About Nothing.

Much Ado About Nothing is a classic Shakespearean comedy featuring some of the Bard’s favorite themes, including trysts between lovers, battles of the sexes, deception, love, and marriage. It also features two of Shakespeare’s most enjoyable characters, Beatrice and Benedick. Will this quarreling duo finally admit their attraction to each other, or will their love of trickery keep them apart? Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s most in-depth explorations of character, and one of his most enduring love stories. The setting of Sicily, Italy will provide a beautiful set and is sure to be one of the most romantic evenings of the summer.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Performances start at 7:00 p.m.

VIP ticket holders receive premium seating, 2 drink tickets and dinner (canapés) by 5 Fusion and Hola. Drinks provided by Deschutes Brewery and Bendistillery. (Bend Show only)

There are still tickets left (or were at the time of this post) so jump on them if you really want to go. There’s really nothing quite like seeing Shakespeare performed live (and well, of course) so don’t miss your chance.