Photo Flash: First Look at THE WINTER'S TALE at the Folger

The Winter's Tale-Shakespeare's late play filled with romance, jealousy, reconciliation-concocted landscapes and a bear in pursuit-is next on stage at Folger Theatre at the Folger Shakespeare Library on Capitol Hill. Directed by six-time Helen Hayes Award-winner Aaron Posner, the production is on stage from March 13 through April 22, 2018.

Tickets are available online at www.folger.edu/theatre or by calling the Folger Box Office at (202) 544-7077.

"There is something deeply poetic and even transcendent in this very late play of Shakespeare's," says Aaron Posner. The Winter's Tale will be Posner's 19th production at Folger Theatre, where he is an Artistic Associate. Having directed 11 other Shakespeare plays, along with his own District Merchants, other inspired adaptations, and classics such as Orestes, Arcadia, and Cyrano, Posner also staged Craig Wright's Melissa Arctic, a world-premiere production based on The Winter's Tale at Folger Theatre in 2003. Of The Winter's Tale, Posner continues, "It is a story full of love, with tremendous diversity. And as hard as things get, there is always hope. As broken as things may be, there is still an airy promise that healing just might be possible. I am excited to bring this magical story to Folger Theatre."

A loving marriage is torn asunder when Leontes (played by Michael Tisdale) suspects his loyal wife Hermione (Katie DeBuys) of being unfaithful to him with his lifelong friend Polixenes (Aldo Billingslea). Consumed by jealousy, Leontes plots murder, puts Hermione on trial, imprisons her, and casts out their infant daughter. The second half-and the passage of many years, brings revelation, forgiveness-and a new union between families.

The cast of The Winter's Tale also features Eric Hissom as Camillo, a close confidant to Leontes, Daven Ralston as the abandoned daughter, Perdita; Drew Drake as Forizell, son to Polixenes who falls in love with Perdita; Kimberly Gilbert as the roguish con-artist Autolycus; and Grace Gonglewski as the honest noblewoman and companion to Hermione, Paulina. Richard R. Henry, Emily Kaye Lynn, and Josh Thomas Round out the cast, who all perform original music composed by Liz Filios.

Luciana Stecconi designed the set, with costume design by Kelsey Hunt, both making their Folger Theatre debuts. Jesse Belsky, who last worked alongside Posner for A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Folger, is the lighting designer, and Patrick Calhoundesigned the sound, transporting us from Sicilia to Bohemia and safely home once more.

"Putting The Winter's Tale in the hands of Aaron Posner assures audiences of an emotionally packed experience of a play with whimsical flights of fancy and breathtaking reversals of fortune," Janet Alexander Griffin, Folger Theatre's Artistic Producer, says. "Aaron is a director who can create the magic of such an inspired tale."

Ticketing Information & Performance Dates:

The Winter's Tale is on stage at Folger Theatre from March 13 through April 22, 2018. Tickets are $30-$79. Discounted preview performances and special rates for patrons under 30, students, seniors, members and family of the military, educators, and groups may be purchased through the Folger Theatre Box Office at (202) 544-7077 or online at www.folger.edu/theatre.

Photo Credit: Teresa Wood