There's a powerful and vibrant moment in Woodward Shakespeare Festival's production of "Richard III" that captures for me the heart and soul of this intense classic. The royal court, which on the whole is as bloodthirsty, fratricidal and downright nasty a lot as you've ever seen assembled under one roof, has just learned that King Edward IV's brother, George, has perished in the Tower. The king, furious, turns around to glare at the dozen or so people scattered in the room, and everyone immediately falls to their knees. It's as if Edward's eyes have a physical grip all their own as his downward nod drives these important grown-ups into positions of subservience.

I thought to myself while watching the scene: This is the power that Richard, who is literature's poster child for terror and despotism, craves more than anything. He wants to be the arbiter of life and death. He wants to make other human beings do things because he can. Imagine that: being able to make people fall to their knees simply because of an angry downward glance. It's no wonder that Shakespeare was fascinated with power -- not only with those who grab it and keep it, but with all the other complicit souls who embrace tyranny out of fear, cluelessness or self-interest.

One thing I like about this production, which is in its second weekend at Woodward Park, is that director Heather Parish has found new ways to tackle this always-important theme in the play.

Here's the effective thing about these commercials: They make you stop and notice the Fresno Metropolitan Museum's brand even when their meaning isn't instantly obvious. (One of us, in the regular whirl of getting ready in the morning, overheard one Thursday during the "Today" show and came to work saying: "Huh?")

The TV spots show people trying to pronounce made-up terms that are combinations of art and science terms. Thus, in the first spot, we get people trying to say "WILLIAMSAROYASAURUS."

John English, the Met's marketing manager, says that the museum got a great deal on the advertising campaign: It's free. He writes:

In 2008, the Met was selected as recipients of the Moody Award for Excellence by the Fresno Advertising Federation. As recipients of the award, the federation created the campaign, produced it and negotiated airtime for the commercials to run on radio and TV. The Met is able to benefit from this great campaign without spending a dime.

"MIKEOZOSCAREDOFKRIKOR"
"KATHYMAHANEEDSMORESHOES"
"JOANOBRAONCEATEATMCDONALD'S"
"RICKBENTV"

and

"HEATHERMCLAKNOWSTOTHANKGODFORLINDSEYLOHAN"

For those who aren't in a theater mood this weekend, here's an arts pick: Marcos Dorado's long-awaited photo exhibit "100 Faces of Fresno," which has its official opening 4-6 p.m. Saturday at Arte Americas. The show runs through Sept. 24. Here are two images in the show of local personalities:

It's not quite Guess the Celeb, because we should all know the gal on the right, but do y'all recognize the guy on the left?

After missing last weekend's theater openings because of vacation, I have some catching up to do. Last night I saw "Richard III" at Woodward Park. (I'll be posting a review this afternoon.) On Saturday night, I plan to see "Lost in Yonkers" at the 2nd Space Theatre. And on tonight's agenda:

CenterStage Clovis Community Theatre's "Noises Off" is in the middle of the first weekend of its two-week run.

I'm so busy, in fact, that I won't be seeing the Children's Musical Theaterworks production of "High School Musical 2" at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium until next week.

What say you, Beehivers? Any weekend tips?