Shakespeare at the Ruins

Shakespeare at the Ruins is returning this month with “Much Ado About Nothing.”

The ruins productions, held annually from 1990 to 2006 with additional productions in 2019, 2022 and 2024, is collaboration between Barboursville Vineyards and Four County Players. The performances are held at the historic ruins of Governor Barbour’s mansion which was destroyed by a fire on Christmas Day in 1884.

This year, the players will present “Much Ado About Nothing,” a Shakespeare comedy in which friends of Beatrice and Benedick conspire to make the two fall in love. Meanwhile, Don Julio tries to sabotage Hero and Claudio’s arranged marriage. The production starts Christopher Albert; Johnny Butcher; Ben Brantley; Paige Cambpell Johns; Michael Clay, Jr.; Jack Clifford; Andy Davis; Cadessa Davis; Sophie Elvgren; Stephanie Finn; Samantha Griffin Moon; Alex Griffith; Kate Johnson; Jennifer LaFleur; Marissa Lahr; Alex Mitchell; Kathy Semerling; Stokes Skelly; Faith Webb and Linda Zuby. The play is directed by Rick St. Peter with Kristen Franklin Heiderstadt as event director; Erin Batten as assistant event director and Anna Grey Hogan as assistant director. Producers are Kim Dukes, Wendy Novicoff and Linda Zuby with production stage manager Meghan Wallace and assistant stage managers Sam Nordbrock, Addy Sokolowski and Stephanie Owen. Christine Thalwitz serves as choreographer with Edward Warwick White serving as intimacy coordinator. Costume design is by Mimi Halpern, who also serves as wardrobe manager with Karen Schlicht. Scenic designer is Kerry Moran with Pete Davies as lead carpenter, Steve Koehler as lighting designer and David Hutchins as lead electrician. Hutchins also serves as technical operator with Tom Wallace. Linda Hogan is properties designer with Erin Batten as boxwood entrance designer. The theater operations manager is Jennifer Phelps with production manager and marketing director Gary Warwick White, assistant production manager Devynn Thomas and technical director Nicholas Edelman.

Performances will be held July 17-18, 23-25, 30-31 and Aug. 1. Gates open at 6 p.m. with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. A special alumni night and pay-what-you-will preview will be held July 16 for those who have previously participated in a Ruins production. The preview is also open to the public.

This production is suitable for audience members of all ages who have the ability to utilize good theater etiquette. However, the show is not recommended for children under 6. To purchase tickets, visit fourcp.org or call the box office at (540) 832-5355.

Palladio Restaurant is offering a picnic dinner takeout for two for $95, available for purchase only by advanced reservation. To reserve, email book@palladiorestaurant.com. Every performance will also have at least one food truck in attendance.