The Winter's TaleThe Winter's Tale

by William Shakespeare

directed by Slobodan Unkovski
set design by Meta Hocevar
costume design by Catherine Zuber
lighting design by John Ambrosone
musical compositions & sound design by Christopher Walker
stage managed by Chris De Camillis

Performed at the Loeb Drama Center, May 12 - June 11, 2000

Shakespeare's greatest exploration of the cycles of human life. From the savage tragedy of jealous Leontes to the festive comedy of Perdita and Florizel, the play combines elements from each dramatic genre with Shakespeare's most searing poetry, concluding our season with a thrilling exploration of the healing, redemptive power of time.

Running time is approximately three hours, including one intermission.

Cast - Synopsis - Photos - Related Links

This production is made possible in part by the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Cast

SICILIA

Leontes, King of Sicilia

... Henry Woronicz

Hermione, Queen to Leontes

... Mirjana Jokovic

Mamillius, young Prince of Sicilia

... Amos Lichtman or Oliver Poole

Camillo, a lord of Sicilia

... Alvin Epstein

Cleomenes, a lord of Sicilia

... Matthew Francis

Dion, a lord of Sicilia

... Aaron Kleven

Antigonus, a lord of Sicilia

... Douglas Goodenough

Paulina, wife to Antigonus

... Karen MacDonald

Emilia, waiting-woman to Hermione

... Denise Williams

Courtiers

... Martin Berryman, Eliza Terrazas

BOHEMIA

Polixenes, King of Bohemia

... John Douglas Thompson

Florizel, Prince of Bohemia

... Jovan Rameau

Archidamus, Lord of Bohemia

... Aaron Kleven

Old Shepherd, reputed father of Perdita

... Jeremy Geidt

Clown, his son

... Remo Airaldi

Perdita, daughter to Leontes and Hermione

... Sarah Howe

Autolycus, a rogue

... Thomas Derrah

Mopsa, a shepherdess

... Denise Williams

Dorcas, a shepherdess

... Naeemah White-Peppers

Time

... Benjamin Evett

Other parts played by members of the company.

Synopsis

Polixenes, King of Bohemia, has been visiting his boyhood friend Leontes, King of Sicilia, for nine months. He is now preparing to leave for home, but Hermione, Leontes' wife, asks him to stay. When he agrees, Leontes quickly grows suspicious, and fearing that Polixines and Hermione are having a secret affair, he orders his counselor Camillo to poison Polixines. 

Camillo warns Polixenes of Leontes' jealousy, and they escape together to Bohemia. Leontes takes their flight as confirmation of his suspicions and throws Hermione in jail, where she gives birth to a daughter. Leontes disowns the child and orders that she be killed. Even when the oracle at Delphi affirms Hermione's innocence, Leontes remains obdurate. Only when his own son dies, and Hermione is also reported dead, does he repent.

Hermione's daughter Perdita is abandoned on the coast of Bohemia, where she is discovered and raised by shepherds. Sixteen years later, Perdita falls in love with Florizel, Polixenes' son, who resolves to marry her. Polixenes, believing Perdita to be the a shepherd's daughter, opposes the match, and the young lovers flee to Sicilia, where they meet the grieving Leontes.

 

Production Photos

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Related Links

American Repertory Theatre
This page updated June 13, 2000
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