Fountain Hills Theater (FHT) announces the opening of the romantic comedy, “Shakespeare in Love.”

To be or not to be…him or her? Young Will Shakespeare has writer’s block. The deadline for his new play is approaching, but he’s in desperate need of inspiration. That is, until he finds his muse...the feisty, brilliant and beautiful Viola.

This crafty young woman is Shakespeare’s greatest admirer and will stop at nothing to appear in his next play. Shakespeare’s love for Viola quickly blossoms, inspiring him to write his greatest romantic masterpiece.

Centuries after his lifetime, Shakespeare is still regarded as the greatest writer of the English language, a press release read. Just as his plays and poetry delight and inspire audiences, readers and theater-makers around the world, so, too, does an imagined version of his life through “Shakespeare in Love.”

In the past decade, an increasing number of Hollywood movies have served as the basis for stage musicals. This reversed a 60-year trend during which musicals that were hits on Broadway, such as “Show Boat,” “West Side Story,” “My Fair Lady,” “The Sound of Music” and others, were eventually turned into films.

Artistic Director Peter J. Hill has devoted the current theater season to this phenomenon with the season comprised almost entirely of movies adapted to the stage.

“Shakespeare in Love” brings the characters of the film to life with an immediacy that cannot be fully equated by film, reads the press release. Hill has brought on acclaimed Shakespearean director Richard Powers to helm this adaptation.

“Shakespeare in Love” plays Nov. 3 - 19. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Individual tickets are $35. Seniors receive a $5 discount on all Thursday performances. Group, active duty and veteran discounts are available.

Tickets are available through the Theater Box Office at (480) 837-9661 x3 or by visiting fhtaz.org. Box Office Hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

All performances are at Fountain Hills Theater on its Mainstage at 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd.