Actors’ Shakespeare Project Presents The Winter’s Tale

The Winter's Tale starts its run tonight at Actors’ Shakespeare Project at United Parish Willet Hall.

Leontes, King of Sicily, should be overjoyed that his wife, Hermione, is pregnant. Instead, however, an irrational jealousy overcomes him, convincing him that his best friend, Polixenes, is the father of the child. As his jealousy begins to consume him, and in a tyrannical fit he destroys his marriage, condemns his new child, and ruins his lifelong friendship. However, through the years, the power of love and forgiveness may prove stronger than the tragedies of the past.

Obie winner Melia Bensussen directs the show, which features Steven Barkhimer as Autolycus, Marianna Bassham as Paulina, Allyn Burrows as Leontes, Mara Sidmore as Hermione, Jesse Hinson as Camillo, Austyn Davis as Perdita, Nigel Gore as Polixenes, and Felix Teich as Florizel.

"If a 'sad tale’s best for winter,' our production may start in darkness, grief and regret, but we reach optimistically towards the hopefulness of spring," says director Melia Bensussen. "The Winter’s Tale speaks to the traps of one’s own thinking — the destruction that ensues when we embrace a rigid point of view — and to our collective need to move beyond the darkness, believe in second chances, and together, leap into the unknown in search of healing and redemption."

The creative team includes Cristina Todesco (set design), Mary Lauve (costume design), John Malinowski (lighting design), and Dave Remedious (sound design).

Performances will run through January 3.

For tickets and more information, click here.