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WORKSHOP THEATER COMPANY has announced, as part of its 20th Anniversary Season, their upcoming production of William Shakespeare's THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Ryan Lee. THE WINTER'S TALE will play a four-week limited engagement at The WorkShop Theater Main Stage (312 West 36th Street, 4th Floor). Performances begin tonight, February 20 and continue through Saturday March 15. Opening Night is Thursday, February 20 (7 p.m.). Press are invited to all performances.
In THE WINTER'S TALE, Leontes, the King of Sicilia, has a gnawing at his heart and brain. He is convinced that his wife, pregnant Hermione, has been unfaithful with him, and with his best friend no less, Polixenes, the King of Bohemia. This obsession tears at Leontes, leading him to order his friend Camillo to assassinate Polixenes. But Camillo believes Leontes to be wrong, so he warns Polixenes and they both escape to Bohemia. Polixenes' and Camillo's flight only confirms Leontes' suspicions, so he publicly accuses Hermione and imprisons her for treason. He also sends two of his lords to the god Apollo's temple to bring back word from Apollo's oracle which will provide the truth of this matter. When Hermione gives birth to a daughter while prison, Leontes claims it to be a bastard, and sends the baby to be abandoned on a distant shore."
"Known as one of Shakespeare's 'Romances', and one of his final plays, The Winter's Tale is a beautiful story about jealousy, revenge, and forgiveness. It is set in two different countries, in two different time periods, with two distinctly different styles. It is one of Shakespeare's most magical plays, where these two worlds show us both the death of Winter and the rebirth of Spring, and the power of hope," says director Lee. "In our production, we are highlighting the magic, the playfulness, and the spirituality while set in the modern society and juxtaposing an icy, conservative and rigid culture against a warm, open, and playful culture, which to those who will recognize it, might even resemble the Burning Man festival."
The production stars Ethan Cadoff* (Playwrights Horizons, DR2) as Leontes, ANNALISA LOEFFLER* (Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Texas Shakespeare Festival) as Paulina/Dorcas, JEFF PAUL* (Pittsburgh Playhouse, WorkShop Theater: Life on the Mississippi, and Interchange) as Polixenes, LAURIE SCHROEDER* (BS of A with Brian Sack, WorkShop Theater: Miss Lulu Bett) as Hermione/Mopsa, Robert Meksin* (Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Cleveland Playhouse) as Autolycus/Officer, JON-Michael Miller* (Asolo Repertory Theater, Hangar Theatre) as Florizel/Servant, Michael Selkirk* (Franco Parenti, Milan; Titan Theatre Co.) as Camillo, Bill Tatum* (Law and Order, Dorset Theatre Festival) as Antigonus/Guard, James Armstrong* (Manhattan Theater Source, NYC Fringe) as Old Shepherd/Cleomenes, Jacob Callie Moore (Artistic New Directions, Professor Awesome's Ghost Hunting Safari) as Clown/Dion, TESS FRAZER (Abingdon Theater Co) as Perdita/Emilia, and CLARK LOEFFLER (Wyckoff Place, USA Network Films) as Mamillius. *Performing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association. AEA approved showcase.
The production features scenic design by Michael Minahan, costume design by Angela Harner, sound design by Harrison Adams, and lighting design by Kia Rogers. Melissa Farinelli is the stage manager.
The Winter's Tale plays the following regular schedule through Saturday, March 15:
Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Fridays at 8 p.m.
Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sundays at 3 p.m.
Mondays at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $15-18 and are now available online at www.workshoptheater.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the theater 1/2 hour prior to performance.
