Shakespeare O.C. Season to Feature Familiar Faces

Faces familiar to devotees of Orange County’s classical theater scene will feature prominently in Shakespeare Orange County’s second season.

“Much Ado About Nothing,” to be directed by Carl Reggiardo, will run July 9 to Aug. 7 at Chapman University’s Waltmar Theatre. The principal roles will all be filled by returnees from last season, it was announced Monday.

Wayne Alexander, who starred as Hamlet last season, will play Benedick; Elizabeth Norment will play Beatrice, the role she performed in a 1990 GroveShakespeare production. Other featured players include Daniel Bryan Cartmell as Leonato, Michael Nehring as Don Pedro and Reggiardo as Don John.

Thomas F. Bradac, Shakespeare Orange County’s artistic director, has decided to take a season off from directing to devote time to administrative duties, but he will perform in “Much Ado” as Dogberry, a role he performed in the 1990 production.

Cartmell will direct and perform the title role in “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,” which will play the Waltmar Theatre from Aug. 13 to Sept. 11. (714) 744-7016.