Theater Review - Return engagement

It’s deja vu all over again as the New American Shakespeare Tavern stages its end-of-summer mini-festival, “The August Threepeat.” Initiated this time last year, the “Threepeat” provides “rerun” performances of the comedies presented during the playhouse’s 2000-2001 season.

As was the case last year, “Threepeat” takes a looser approach to production, planning three days of rehearsal for each show and offering discounted ticket prices at the box office. The magical shipwreck of The Tempest and the games-playing lovers of Much Ado About Nothing will be directed by Jeff Watkins, while the battle of the sexes in The Taming of the Shrew will be directed by PushPush artistic director Tim Habeger, who seems to have found a second home at the Tavern.

Most of the actors will be reprising their same roles from each play, and many appear in more than one of the “Threepeat” comedies. The scheduling means that audiences can see different shows each night of the same weekend, so if you missed any of the comedies the first time, you have a second chance.

“August Threepeat” presents The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing and Taming of the Shrew in repertory Aug. 3-26 at the New American Shakespeare Tavern, 499 Peachtree St. at 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and 6:30 p.m. Sun. $10-$15. 404-874-5299. www.shakespearetavern.com??