The UNLV Performing Arts Center celebrates William Shakespeare's 440 th birthday with Claire Bloom as part of the New York Stage & Beyond series at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 23. Bloom performs "Shakespeare's Women" in a show the Boston Globe calls "heartbreakingly beautiful."

In addition, the PAC is partnering with the Utah Shakespearean Festival in an evening of appreciation for The Bard beginning with lobby performances by Las Vegas Academy theatre students, continuing with Bloom's one-woman show, and concluding with a dessert and champagne reception featuring performances by the Green Valley High School Madrigal Singers. Utah Shakespearean Festival founder and executive producer Fred Adams and Bloom will join the after-show party.

Tickets to Claire Bloom: "Shakespeare's Women" are $25, $35, and $55. Tickets to the after-show reception are $25. To reserve your tickets, call the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 895-ARTS (2787).

Student rush tickets to Bloom's performance are $12.50 each and available one hour prior to each event, based on availability and with valid student I.D. UNLV faculty and staff discounts also are available. A $.50 facilities fee, in addition to the ticket price, is charged on all Performing Arts Center tickets. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Information about all of the season's performances can be found on the Performing Arts Center website.

Founded in 1976, the Performing Arts Center at UNLV continues to be Southern Nevada's premier performing arts venue. Located on the north end of the UNLV campus, the PAC hosts a variety of performances each year in two distinct series - the Charles Vanda Master Series and New York Stage & Beyond. UNLV and KLVX Channel 10 are graciously sponsoring the 2004-2005 Season, "Stars at the Center."