The good citizens of Sacramento are conditioned to heading out of town when they want to see Shakespeare done by theater professionals. But you shouldn’t have to drive for hours to see these plays in a faraway festival setting. And now you don’t. The Delta King Theatre in Old Sacramento is presenting a snappy, heads up production of “Much Ado About Nothing,” featuring Jamie Jones and Eric Wheeler, who’ve appeared at the B Street Theatre and the Sacramento Theatre Company. And it’s a battle of the sexes, including scenes like this.

(play excerpt)

This is Shakespeare done for sheer enjoyment, with a fast pace and plenty of laughs. Director Christine Nicholson lays out the story of love’s ups and downs with clarity and stylish attitude. Nicholson also skillfully maneuvers a cast of eleven on one of the smallest stages in the region – I mean, if this lady ever tires of directing theater, she should get a job as an air traffic controller. Nicholson actually makes the cozy performance space work to her advantage, which is both a virtue and a necessity. “Much Ado About Nothing” is at the Delta King Theatre through June 26.