Local theater producer Sheila Havens Ryle has been a director of theatre and music for more than thirty years. After graduating from Occidental College with degrees in education and theatre, she began a high school teaching career.

A longtime lover of Shakespeare's work, Ryle enjoyed theatre trips with students to events such as the annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. As a result, she began to envision a new Shakespearean repertory company.

Initially, Ryle imagined a festival of Shakespeare plays by the sea, but the locale has since shifted inland. Now retired from high school teaching, she has moved with her family to Temecula and is in the early stages of fulfilling her dream.

Last summer, "Shakespeare in the Vines" began with one show, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," which won four Inland Valley Theatre League awards. This season the company offers two productions: "The Merry Wives of Windsor" which opens Friday at Keyways Vineyard & Winery and "Othello" begins Sept. 7 at Wiens Family Cellars.

Although both shows share themes of revenge, they were chosen as a seasonal pair for their differences. "The Merry Wives of Windsor," a humorous tale of mischief and mayhem, is not performed nearly as often as many of Shakespeare's other works.

"I think it's because of the country verse," Ryle said. " 'Merry Wives' is the only Shakespeare play about country folk. His other plays contain a formal verse spoken by city people and royalty."

"Merry Wives," directed by Ryle, features the aging, lecherous knight Falstaff (Coley McAvoy) who is down on his luck and cannot afford to support his two younger squires. So he tries to offload the chaps by secretly arranging for them to meet two well-off wives from a nearby country village.

Falstaff sends the ladies letters with the names of his men on them. When everyone involved learns of the diabolical scheme unleashed by the pompous knight, they cleverly seek revenge.

Like "Midsummer," "Merry Wives" was written in just a few weeks at the request of Queen Elizabeth. She loved the colorful Falstaff and requested his reappearance. So, even though the character had died in the previously presented "Henry IV, part 2," Shakespeare saw to it that Falstaff was alive and kicking in "Merry Wives."

Lively music helps to establish a lighthearted country atmosphere.

"We have a lot of transition music as well as various ditties the characters sing while they're working or playing," Ryle said. "The playful tunes really add to the ambience."

Ryle said "Merry Wives" will leave audiences laughing.

"The bawdiness and innuendo go over the children's heads," she said. "But they'll enjoy the physical comedy just the same."

Ten children appear as kids in the town and as the fairies in the sequence when the citizens avenge Falstaff.

"The children performing in the show are totally enraptured during rehearsals and truly enjoy the experience of putting it all together," Ryle said. "I love to have children in my shows. It's wonderful educational outreach."

Unlike "Merry Wives," however, "Othello" is not recommended for youngsters.

The heart wrenching "Othello" is the tale of a proud and distinguished Moor destroyed by treachery, betrayal and deceit at the hands of a rival.

Although this dark story contrasts well with the comic world of "Merry Wives," Ryle chose "Othello" for one main reason: Local actor Winston Earle agreed to play the complex title character.

"He's gorgeous, tall, fit and has a beautiful voice. I feel very fortunate to have Mr. Earle," Ryle said.

Ironically, while "Othello" is not for kids, Ryle brought up the Disney character named after Shakespeare's most infamous villain.

"Iago, the evil parrot in 'Aladdin,' was named after the vengeful antagonist that brings down Othello," she said.

Unable to accept the power and influence that Othello has attained, Iago capitalizes on the Moor's jealous nature by convincing him that his wife is unfaithful. Othello gradually becomes sucked into the trap refusing to believe his wife's cry of innocence.

"It's intense," Ryle said. "As we witness Othello's fall, we wish it were not so. But we must accept that we are helpless observers."

Beverly Stephenson, the director of "Othello," sets the story in a 1920s speakeasy complete with zoot suits and jazz musicians. Othello, the new guy in town, recently has been promoted to leader of the band. Believing he himself has sufficiently earned that position, Iago is furious and sets out to destroy the bandleader.

Dialogue will be spoken with southern accents, which gels well with Shakespeare's dialogue. Interestingly enough, our current southern dialects are believed to be quite similar to accents spoken in Shakespearean England.

Surely, a highlight of the show will be the jazz music. Earle plays a mean trumpet, a very exciting addition the actor brings to his character.

Every show presents challenges.

"Since the amount of talent in the valley is growing, we face an increasing amount of conflicting schedules," Ryle said. "For example, I was surprised to discover during 'Midsummer' last year that another production of the same play was rehearsing not too far away.

"Other trials we endure are associated with the technical aspects of our productions," Ryle said. "I am eternally grateful to the host wineries for their noble support. But they happen to be in the wedding business. And their schedule is packed. So we're unable to load in the set until the Sunday before we open."

In addition, while they're able to rehearse in the space during the week, they can't integrate all the technical elements until the set arrives.

"We don't employ a large professional crew," Ryle said. "Many of our volunteer technicians arrive late in the game along with the set."

So it's a test of their skill and speed as they race against the clock to finish putting the show together during the four remaining rehearsals.

"I am grateful for the work provided by our professional designers, Walt Allen and Rick Romano." Ryle said. "Allen, a gifted architect, created our beautiful set. And Romano, having worked for Madonna and Pink Floyd, brings a wealth of expertise to our lighting effects."

In addition, sound is provided by the always appreciated Randy Merrell, lead guitarist for The Groove, and Scott King, "a local treasure in performing arts," said Ryle.

Ryle does not hesitate to admit that each day is an educational adventure.

"My experience as festival producer has taught me about trust," she said. "I am a perfectionist and a control freak accustomed to tackling much of the responsibility on my own. But I'm quite confident Stephenson and the rest of my crew will do a terrific job."

Since some may have struggled in school with Shakespeare, Ryle hopes that her potential audience is not reluctant to buy a ticket.

"Shakespeare originally intended for his plays to be seen rather than read," she said. "So we try to make the text accessible and enjoyable by focusing on our physical communication as well as the spoken word."

Ryle's long-term dream is still under construction.

"I truly hope our presentations will someday become a major tourist attraction for the wine country here in our beautiful city," she said. "Eight years from now the festival will feature a season of 10 shows. So far we are on schedule. I'm planning for three shows next summer and an additional show every successive season until we reach our goal in 2015."

Currently, the company has no legitimate theater space. But Ryle is confident that "as long as I can find wineries that'll give up two weekends of weddings per year to host us, we'll be fine."

"The Merry Wives of Windsor"

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Sunday and Aug. 10 and 12

Where: Keyways Vineyard & Winery, 37338 De Portola Road, Temecula

Tickets: $25, general; $15, senior, students and winery members

Info: (877) 539-9297

"Othello"

When: 7 p.m. Sept. 7, 9, 15 and 16

Where: Wiens Family Cellars, 35055 Via Del Ponte, Temecula

Tickets: $25, reserved; $15, general; $10, seniors, students and children 12 and under

Info: (951) 694-9892