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The 2012 Kern Shakespeare Festival will feature productions of "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Romeo and Juliet" starting on October 3 and will run for two weeks, with an alternating performance each evening at Bakersfield College’s picturesque Renegade Park.

"Much Ado About Nothing" is a play by William Shakespeare which focuses on a lot of fuss over nothing! Claudio and Hero fall in love and plan to get married, but the villainous Don John slanders Hero with false evidence. The wedding is ruined and Hero faints. Her family soon suspect slander and decide to pretend that Hero died from shock. Don John’s evil plan is soon revealed and Claudio mourns Hero’s death. Eventually, Hero is revealed to be alive and the marriage goes ahead as planned. In the play’s closing moments, it is reported that Don John has been captured for his crime. Much Ado About Nothing will be performed on  October 3, 5, 11, and 13.

"Romeo and Juliet" is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with "Hamlet", is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal young lovers. Romeo and Juliet will be performed on October 4, 6, 10, and 14.

All performances of the 2012 Kern Shakespeare Festival will begin at 8 p.m. in the picturesque Bakersfield College Renegade Park. Tickets are $5 per person (no one under age six allowed), and are available from the Bakersfield College Ticket Office at 661-395-4326. Questions about the performances should be directed to Randy Messick at 661-859-8395.