Big changes for Tahoe's Shakespeare Festival

When the 36th season of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival opens Thursday, audiences can view the work of a new in-house directorial and artistic team. Artistic director Jan Powell has made major changes from the old days when the festival had to hire its talent from other regional theaters.

There is also a new stage in the venue at Sand Harbor, and the sets are promised to be designed to incorporate the natural scenery around the amphitheater. For the first time, live music will accompany each performance. Indeed, one show is a musical.

That is "Cambio," written by Powell and Portland playwright Carole J. Dane. It sets Victor Hugo's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in modern Havana. The youth of the city battle with the country's traditional and political mores, and the rebellious young "monster" falls for the fiery young woman.

The original music is composed by Omar Alexander in what is described as a Latin-gypsy-funk-rock style. Choreography and costuming are by Soozi Childers, a veteran Las Vegas revue designer.

There has traditionally been a third non-Shakespeare production in the season, but they have always been relatively well-known works. Whether "Cambio" will be welcome remains to be seen, but it should do just fine. Something new is always welcome. The Shakespeare offerings this year include the often-done but always-popular "A Midsummer Night's Dream," this production directed by London's Michael Walling (Border Crossings Theater), and the festival debut of "Richard III."

Last year, the festival branched out from the popular comedies and tested the audience with the tragedy "Macbeth." This year, it's time to see if a history is welcome.

Shakespeare's Kitchen, located inside the theater gates, offers a range of meals and desserts. Patrons can also visit Shakespeare's Vineyard and sample five wines in a souvenir wine glass for $25. Seating is either on the sand or in reserved seats, and ticket prices range from $22 to $67. (LakeTahoeShakespeare.com)

Moody's Bistro and Lounge in Truckee hosts its fourth annual Jazz Artists in Residence on Monday through Saturday with free jazz shows by Grammy-nominated musicians. Four shows at the club Monday through Thursday will feature Will Bernard on guitar, Peter Apfelbaum on piano, Adam Theis on brass, Ben Wendel on sax, Josh Jones on drums and Andrew Emer on bass. Bernard's "Party Hats" was nominated for best contemporary jazz album this year.

Friday and Saturday find Bay Area rapper Dublin in two special benefit concerts for the Truckee Youth Music Program ($5). Also on stage will be the participants in this year's Kids' Jazz Camp, sponsored by Moody's this week. The youth will learn from and jam with the artists in residence. (Concerts at 8 p.m.; moodysbistro.com.)

The Eldorado joins in the summer concert season with a Friday night series in its cabaret, starting with Jimi Jamison this week. Jamison is the singer of Survivor, and writer and performer on the hit "I'm Always Here," remembered by fans of "Baywatch." Jamison was with the bands Target and Cobra before joining Survivor in 1983 and turning out other major hits like "Eye of the Tiger" and "Burning Heart."

John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, famous for their "Eddie and the Cruisers" soundtrack, perform July 25. Their Top 20 hits include "C.I.T.Y.," "Dixieland," "Small Town Girl" and "Voice of America's Sons."