By Lora Oehlberg

Town Crier Intern

The Wild West is as far away from Shakespeare’s England as it could get.

But Bus Barn Stage Company’s production of “The Comedy of Errors” brings tumbleweed and Queen Elizabeth I together in the stage company’s western version of Shakespeare’s play.

Continuing last year’s successful Shakespeare in the Park program, Bus Barn presents free weekend performances of “The Comedy of Errors” this month at Shoup Park, 400 University Ave., Los Altos.

Shows are scheduled for 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11, 12, 18 and 19.

Although the original version of “The Comedy of Errors” is set in Epidamnum and Ephesus, Bus Barn’s Tom Gough - who directed “Twelfth Night” last summer - decided to set “Comedy” as a western instead.

“It’s one of Shakespeare’s plays that directors enjoy in setting in different venues and times,” said Kathy Gutto, managing director of Bus Barn. “It works quite well. The humor of that particular show is timeless, and to place it in different settings is fun and remarkable,”

Audiences are welcome to bring a blanket and a picnic dinner. Last year’s production of “Twelfth Night” attracted a wide audience of seniors, teens and parents with small children.

“Shoup Park is perfect location because there’s room for kids to run around, come and watch the play and run off again,” Gutto said. “Last year they weren’t really disturbing because of how the park is laid out. Adults felt really safe letting their kids run and go play.”

“Twelfth Night” was Bus Barn’s first Shakespeare in the Park production. Bus Barn has doubled its budget this summer in an effort to present a better quality production than last year when the company had to cut corners after underestimating costs.

Thanks to a $75,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Silicon Valley and a $5,000 donation from the Lohman family, Bus Barn is able to make “Comedy” a free event.

However, the theater company still seeks sponsorship through community donations and support from community leaders and business owners for future years.

“We want Bus Barn to become a real Los Altos asset and resource. It’s an ideal project for many of our local people to get involved with, to make it a real community project,” Gutto said.

In October, Bus Barn will return with its annual Follies. The biggest fund-raiser of the season, “The Follies” features an evening of song and satire, with spoofs of everyday life in Los Altos, Silicon Valley and the world at large.

Because of its popularity, “The Follies” is extended to three performances, one on Friday Oct. 12 and two more on Oct. 13. Friday will be an optional black-tie opening night, though all performances will feature a wine and hors d’oeuvre reception.

The new season opens on Sept. 13 with “Communicating Doors” by Alan Ayckbourne. This is followed by “The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol” November 29 through December 30. A “Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams runs January 17 through Feb. 16. “The Heidi Chronicles” by Wendy Wasserstein opens March 21 and runs through April 20. “Cabaret” (May 23-June 22) and “Private Eyes” (July 11-Aug. 10) complete the season.

For season tickets, single tickets, and seats for the 2001 Follies, call 941-0551.