The Montford Park Players, North Carolina's Longest Running Shakespeare Festival, opens its 2010 season with Oscar Wilde's comedic masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest, April 1 through 11 at the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville.  Earnest is directed by Jason Williams. Performances are Thursday through Sunday, April 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 & 18.  Thursday through Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm.  There will be two Sunday matinees on April 11 & 18 at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students and are available at www.montfordparkplayers.org.  Thursdays are "Pay What You Can Night" - no reservations available, first come, first served. 

The 38th outdoor season of Theatre Under the Stars continues at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 100 Gay St, Asheville with a return by popular demand of the parody The Complete Works of Wm. Shakespeare (abridged), Thursday through Sunday, May 20 through 30, presented as a fund raiser for the theatre.

The Players' free theatre outdoor season continues every Friday through Sunday at 7:30 pm from June 4 through the first weekend in October:

• June 4 - 13; July 16 - 25; August 27 - Sept. 5: The Asheville Shakesperience, directed by Scott Keel (Opening Weekend will feature a special performance by the TOPHAT Children's Theatre)

• June 18 - July 11: King Lear, directed by Dr. Robert A. White

• July 30 - August 27: Troilus & Cressida (A Story of the Trojan War), directed by Jason Williams

• September 10 - October 3: Twelfth Night, directed by Dusty McKeelan

Bring an umbrella/raincoat. MPP only cancels if there is a major downpour. Often, it may be raining everywhere except the amphitheatre. People bring fast food, picnic baskets, and candlelight dinners. The concession stand sells drinks and snacks. There is no charge for the productions or parking. For 35 years, they've passed the hat at intermission, and donations are appreciated.

The Montford Park Players performs at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 1 Gay St, Asheville NC 28801. For more information call 828-254-5146 or visit www.montfordparkplayers.org.