Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival To Present 'The Winter's Tale'
Posted
Staff Report-
NOTRE DAME – The Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival will present William Shakespeare’s tragic comedy “The Winter’s Tale” Aug. 18 to 30 at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Set in the contrasting worlds of cold, suffocating Sicilia and warm, nurturing Bohemia, “The Winter’s Tale” weaves together music, magic, courtroom drama, shipwrecks and bear attacks, according to a press release from Notre Dame. Sicilian King Leontes unfairly accuses his wife, Hermione, of adultery with his best friend, the King of Bohemia. When Hermione gives birth to her daughter, Leontes orders the child to be killed and banishes Queen Hermione, tearing his family and the two kingdoms apart. However, through the intervention of the mystical Paulina, the princess is saved, Leontes repents, and Sicilia softens after 16 years of turmoil – with the help of a little magic. Directed by Drew Fracher, a 25-year veteran of regional theaters throughout the United States, “The Winter’s Tale” explores themes of jealousy, family and eventual repentance. “In ‘The Winter's Tale,’” Fracher explained, “through the glory of Shakespeare’s language and storytelling, we watch a cast of all-too-human characters fail and then find spiritual growth, reconciliation, and forgiveness. How blessed they are, how lucky. I wish the same for all of us.” “The Winter’s Tale” brings together professional actors and designers from around the country. Featured in starring roles are Grant Goodman, who will appear at London’s Globe Theatre this fall, L. Peter Callender of the African-American Shakespeare Company, and Wendy Robie from David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks.” Performances are Tuesdays through Sundays Aug. 18 to 30 at the Patricia George Decio Theatre, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $12 to $40. Under 18 are free with purchase of a full-price ticket, and group discounts are available. Visit http://shakespeare.nd.edu/tickets for more information including show times and ticket prices. To learn more about the 2015 Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, including the Young Company production of “Love’s Labor’s Lost” and the Professional Company production of “William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play” (abridged), visit shakespeare.nd.edu.
