The second annual Shakespeare in the 'Burg theatre festival, set for March 27-29, 2015, brings the internationally acclaimed American Shakespeare Center (ASC) back to this quaint, historic village west of Washington, D.C. for a weekend of performances, workshops and more.

Friday, March 27, will mark the kick-off event, with a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception sponsored by the Hill School, 130 S. Madison Street. The reception will be followed by a showing of the film version of "West Side Story," a musical retelling of "Romeo and Juliet" with words and music by Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein. The movie, released in 1961, earned 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Tickets are $25 and include admission to the reception and film screening.

ASC actors will perform "Hamlet" on Saturday, March 28, at 7 p.m. and "Much Ado About Nothing" on Sunday, March 29, at 1:30 p.m. While these plays are very different in tone and content, they remain two of the Bard's most popular. Both performances will be held in the Middleburg Community Center, 300 W. Washington Street. Tickets for the ASC performances are $40.

In addition to the ASC performances, Shakespeare in the 'Burg will once again have a performance of the winning play from the festival's one-act playwriting competition on Saturday, March 28, at the Middleburg Community Center. The event will start at noon with a gourmet lunch from the Home Farm Store and a musical presentation by the Crooked Angels, before the performance of the play. Tickets are $25 per person.

Three acting and stagecraft workshops will take place during the weekend, priced at $10 for students and $15 for adults. Topics include stage combat, music in Shakespeare and staging challenges with "Much Ado About Nothing." Local inns and hotels are offering special packages for visitors who want to stay for the weekend, and restaurants will have fixed price, pre-theatre menus on Saturday night. Even local retailers are getting into the act, with Shakespeare-themed items on sale at special prices.

For additional information about Shakespeare in the 'Burg or to purchase tickets for performances or workshops, that will be taking place during the event, visit www.shakespareintheburg.com. For discounts on groups of 10 or more, send an email toinfo@shakespeareinthe- burg.com or call 540-687-3448.