From the Desert Trail: Things to do in Yucca and 29 Palms

TWENTYNINE PALMS — For the third year in a row, the INDEPENDant Players, a Shakespearean troupe based in Los Angeles, will bring its Shakespeare Under the Moon Tour to Luckie Park.In its fourth season, the tour brings two productions to eight cities, from San Francisco to San Diego, in July and August.The players, with help from sponsors at the Officers’ Spouses Club, will bring free productions of “Taming of the Shrew” and “MacBeth” to the park at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6.“Shrew” will be performed on Saturday and “MacBeth” will follow on Sunday.After Twentynine Palms, the troupe will take its productions to San Marcos, Stallion Springs, Redwood City, Pismo Beach, Ridgecrest, Paso Robles, Redwood City and Yucca Valley.
“Taming of the Shrew” tells the comic story of ill-tempered Katherine and Petruccio, who agrees to woo and wed her so that three suitors will get the chance to compete for the hand of her younger, more mild-tempered sister, Bianca.Melissa Rojas stars as Kate while Lisa Nicolai will play Bianca and Jake Wesley Stewart will play Petruccio.Scottish play“MacBeth” tells the tragic story of an ambitious Scottish Lord who is tempted to murder the king he has just fought to defend and take his place on the Scottish throne.
It is perhaps best known for the inclusion of three witch characters who tempt MacBeth off the straight and narrow.Travis Terry will star as MacBeth while Nathanial Stanton, who some might remember from last year’s production of “Julias Caesar,” will playDuncan and Banquo will be played by Scott Durrell.The INDEPENDant Players, according to a history featured on the troupe’s Web site, www.shakespeareunderthemoon.com, were born in early August 1999.A failed production of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” in San Diego, started the troupe’s journey that continues today.The troupe has moved from Oceanside to Chicago and then to Los Angeles, which it now calls home.In the summer of 2005 players started Shakespeare Festivals for five cities in Southern California and played to packed parks.The summer of 2006 saw more success, with players entertaining 10 cities with two shows.There will be a snack bar.