December 9, 2010 (Sampurn Wire):Lyle Lovett, American singer-songwriter and actor, is joining the cast of director Ben Donenbergs take on William Shakespeares Much Ado About Nothing. It already has big stars like Helen Hunt, Grace Gummer (Meryl Streeps daughter), Dakin Matthews, Tom Irwin, David Ogden Stiers and Stephen Root.

Lovett, who has written a number of new songs for the play, will be seen only in the production starting December 10th. The organizers informed about his inclusion today saying that he is already involved with the play as a composer for the production.

The play will be staged at Kirk Douglas Theatre of the Shakespeare Center in Los Angeles. Donenberg is trying to close the gap between Shakespeare and todays audience through this play. The director has worked with Lovett earlier also.

The limited-run play will close on December 19 after giving 23 performances. Lovett will be seen playing the role of a Don Pedro attendant called Balthasar and Hunt will enact the role of Beatrice opposite Irwin's Benedick. The lead role will be played by Gummer. Apart from Lovett, the production will also have music by Sean Watkins and Sara Watkins.

Donenberg is staging the Shakespeare play in a California vineyard setting. The on-stage musicians will perform on Lovetts song She's No Lady. This play is being performed as a part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Shakespeare Center.

--Sampurn Wire