POTSDAM -- The SUNY Potsdam Department of Theatre and Dance is gearing up to present its fall mainstage production, William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing," Nov. 15 to 18 in the Performing Arts Center.

"Much Ado About Nothing" will run from Thursday, Nov. 15 through Sunday, Nov. 18, in the Proscenium Theater, located in SUNY Potsdam's Performing Arts Center. There will be daily evening performances from Thursday, Nov. 15 through Saturday, Nov. 17, all at 7:30 p.m., with an additional afternoon matinee offered on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for SUNY Potsdam faculty and staff, and $8 for students and senior citizens. Seating is general admission, and the doors will open a half hour before each performance.

The student cast and crew includes North Country residents Zoe Loveless of Hannawa Falls playing Conrade, Molly Tishberg of Potsdam playing Ursula, and Rachael Clements of Potsdam, who will play a Sexton.

In this production, the witty comedy will be set in the United States, post-World War II, tracing the raucous rivalry between two adversaries who turn into lovers.

Written at the height of Shakespeare's career in 1598 and 1599, "Much Ado About Nothing" is considered one of the playwright's best comedies.

The "merry war" of words between Benedict and Beatrice is contrasted by a darker side of the play, when rumor and false report by a jealous rival almost lead to the downfall of the marriage of the young lovers, Hero and Claudio.

For production and ticket information, contact the Community Performance Series Box Office at 315-267-2277 or visit www.cpspotsdam.org.