Long before Caitlyn Jenner appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair, gender issues were resonating in the world. William Shakespeare’s famous play “Twelfth Night” is about the construct of gender and whether it defines who we are or who we love. So it seems serendipitous for the Davis Shakespeare Ensemble to kick off its summer festival with “Twelfth Night” – which was planned well before Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair spread.

The Sacramento Shakespeare Festival is also playing with gender roles this summer. Its production of “Romeo and Juliet” is cast entirely of men and its production of “As You Like It” features all women. Shows for the Davis Shakespeare Festival started last week and are at the Veterans Memorial Theatre in Davis. The Sacramento Shakespeare Festival begins Friday and is at the William A. Carroll Amphitheatre in William Land Park.

• KPBS: Globe’s ‘Twelfth Night:’ The Bard, Caitlyn Jenner And Gender Fluidity