Learn More & Explore: "The Winter's Tale"
Actors Lise Bruneau (as Hermione) and Lynn Robert Berg (as Polixenes) star in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actor David Anthony Smith (right, as Leontes) shares a tender moment Ryan Vincent (left, as his son Mamillius) in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
David Anthony Smith (as Leontes) stars in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actors David Anthony Smith (left, as Leontes) and Aled Davies (right, as Camillo) share an intense moment in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actors Lynn Robert Berg (left, as Polixenes) and Aled Davies (right, as Camillo) star in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actors Lise Bruneau (left, as Hermione) and Ryan Vincent (right, as her son Mamillius) share a secret as ladies of the court, actors Sara M. Bruner (left) and Sara Hymes (right) watch on in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actors Lori Birmingham (left, as Paulina) and Jodi Dominick (right, as Emilia) share the stage in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actor Lori Birmingham (center, as Paulina) holds two lords at bay (actors M.A. Taylor, left and Juan Rivera Lebron, right) in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
The "oracle" is carefully revealed by actors Paul Hurley (left) and J. Todd Adams (right) as the royal family watches with anticipation in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actors Lori Birmingham (left, as Paulina) and David Anthony Smith (right, as Leontes) star in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actors Miles Gaston Villanueva (left, as Florizel) and Kimbre Lancaster (right, as Perdita) share a tender moment in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actor Juan Rivera Lebron (as a Clown) shows off some impressive hops in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actors Miles Gaston Villanueva (as Florizel) and Kimbre Lancaster (as Perdita) share a tender moment in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Tom Ford (as Autolycus) takes center stage and shows his “wares” in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Juan Rivera Lebron (left, as a Clown/son) and M.A. Taylor (right, as an Old Shepherd/father) celebrate their unexpected, new-found wealth in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
The royal family, actors Lise Bruneau (left, as Hermione), David Anthony Smith (center, as Leontes) and Kimbre Lancaster (right, as Perdita) takes center stage in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
From the Director...
“It is required
You do awake your faith.”
– Paulina, Act V, Scene 3
As we continue our journey with Shakespeare’s glorious play moving from Boise to Cleveland, this line continues to ring out to me as an underlying principle for our production. A critical line for the characters when the line is said, it is also a clarion call to all who encounter this play. We must check our skepticism at the door, and awake our faith in the power of language and story and imagination. Shakespeare’s play is indeed a true Tale. In order to fully appreciate its power, we need to listen as children, naturally open to a great story. Shakespeare’s play also deals with very adult matters, like all the great folk tales, and this combination of perspectives makes it remarkably accessible to audiences of all ages.
The story on which Shakespeare based his play was an Elizabethan best-seller called Pandosto, meaningfully sub-titled The Triumph of Time. Time always conquers, and Time always reveals Truth. This idea made such an impact on Shakespeare that he included Time as an actual character in The Winter’s Tale. Along with Time, Shakespeare weaves the myths of Persephone, Pygmalion, and Alcestis into the thematic background of his play: a tale of two friends and kings, their wives and children, how a lack of faith breaks them and their families apart for sixteen years, and how a return to truth and faith restores them.
What kind of faith are we talking about here? Faith in Friends. In Fate. In the Gods. In the perfection of Nature. In the power of Art. Imagination. And—perhaps above all—Faith in Love. Only with faith—not blind trust, but true faith, hard-earned through experience and overcoming fears—can one achieve a balance of the winter and summer within one’s self, and—perhaps—reach a harmony with others and the universe itself. How does one achieve this kind of faith? One must first know, and trust, one’s self. And one must learn to trust time.
Leontes and Hermione’s young boy, Mamillius, says “A sad tale’s best for winter; I have one of sprites and goblins.” And indeed, The Winter’s Tale does have great sadness and nightmare monsters in it, almost drawn directly from a child’s imagination. But the play also carries as hot a summer as the winter is cold, and there is incredible joy and humor on the other side of that sadness and terror. If the court of Sicilia is formal and refined and – after Leontes catches the disease of jealousy – fraught with distrust, the fields of Bohemia are open and warm and full of music and passion—and yet irrational fears and behavior exists there, too.
Shakespeare’s genius, working at the highest level of his art, is able to share with us both these worlds fully and full of life, to explore their strengths and weaknesses, and then bring them together to a point where the hot of Bohemia and cold of Sicilia can re-unite through the character of Hermione in the line “O, she’s warm!” in a moment of sublime harmonic beauty.
Yin cannot exist without yang, love and hate are as inextricably yoked together as winter and summer are, as life and death are. It takes great strength of faith to trust that death is necessary for rebirth and to be able to live in a balanced state of existence. But the balance is all. What is shaken out of order in the beginning of our story is restored to balance at the end. It is not without pain and sorrow, nor is it without pleasure and joy – or magic. This poignant, bittersweet and beautiful balanced truth of life is made into a gloriously real fable for all ages in Shakespeare’s wondrous romance.
-Jesse Berger, Director, "The Winter's Tale"
Synopsis
King Leontes of Sicilia begs his childhood friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia, to extend his visit to Sicilia. Polixenes protests that he has been away from his kingdom for nine months, but after Leontes’s pregnant wife, Hermione, pleads with him he relents and agrees to stay a little longer. Leontes, meanwhile, has become possessed with jealousy. Convinced that Polixenes and Hermione are lovers, he orders his loyal retainer, Camillo, to poison the Bohemian king. Instead, Camillo warns Polixenes of what is afoot, and the two men flee Sicilia for Bohemia.
Furious at their escape, Leontes publicly accuses his wife of infidelity, and declares that the child she is bearing must be illegitimate. He throws her in prison, over the protests of his nobles, and sends to the Oracle of Delphi for what he is sure will be confirmation of his suspicions. Meanwhile, the queen gives birth to a girl, and her loyal friend Paulina brings the baby to the king, in the hopes that the sight of the child will soften his heart. He only grows angrier, however, and orders Paulina’s husband, Lord Antigonus, to take the child and abandon it in some desolate place. While Antigonus is gone, the answer comes from Delphi—Hermione and Polixenes are innocent, and Leontes will have no heir until his lost daughter is found. Leontes refuses to believe the Oracle. Suddenly, word comes that Leontes’ son, Mamillius, has died of a wasting sickness brought on by the accusations against his mother. Hermione falls in a swoon, and is carried away by Paulina, who subsequently reports the queen’s death to her heartbroken and now repentant husband.
Antigonus abandons the baby on the Bohemian coast, reporting that Hermione appeared to him in a dream and told him to name the girl Perdita and to leave gold and other tokens on her person. Antigonus is killed by a bear, and Perdita is raised by a kindly Shepherd and his son, a Clown. Sixteen years pass, and the son of Polixenes, Prince Florizel, falls in love with Perdita. His father and Camillo attend a sheep-shearing festival in disguise and watch as Florizel and Perdita are betrothed. Tearing off the disguise, Polixenes intervenes and orders his son never to see the Shepherd’s daughter again. With the aid of Camillo, however, who longs to see his native land again, Florizel and Perdita take ship for Sicilia, wearing the clothes of a local rogue, Autolycus, as a disguise. They are joined in their voyage by the Shepherd and his son the Clown.
In Sicilia, Leontes—still in mourning after all this time—greets the son of his old friend effusively. Florizel pretends to be on a diplomatic mission from his father, but his cover is blown when Polixenes and Camillo, too, arrive in Sicilia. The Shepherd tells everyone the story of how Perdita was found, Leontes realizes that she is his daughter, the two old friends Leontes and Polixenes are reconciled, and Florizel and Perdita are accepted as a couple. Paulina invites them all to see a statue of Hermione which has been recently finished.
J. Todd Adams*
Clemones
Two Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Regional: Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio) The Denver Center Theater Company; Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), The Imaginary Invalid (Bonnefoi), The Winter’s Tale (Cleomenes) at IdahoShakespeare Festival; Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio)at Great Lakes Theater; Henry IV pt. 1 (Hotspur), The Three Musketeers (Aramis), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Costard) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck) at Shakespeare Santa Cruz; The Importance of Being Earnest (Jack) and The Real Thing (Billy) atPCPA; Ghosts, Henry IV, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night,A Noise Within; Drawer Boy, Lonesome West, Entertaining Mister Sloane, South CoastRepertory; Gross Indecency, Mark Taper Forum; King Lear, San Diego Repertory; Much Ado About Nothing,Arizona Theatre Company; Scapin, American Conservatory Theatre; I Pagliacci, Kennedy Center, directed by Franco Zeffirelli;and performances at the Theatre at Boston Court,Grove Theater Center and Utah ShakespeareFestival. Film/Television: Gilmore Girls, The West Wing, Flyboys and Warriors of Virtue. Mr. Adamsholds an MFA from the American ConservatoryTheater. Two Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Regional: Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio) The Denver Center Theater Company; Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), The Imaginary Invalid (Bonnefoi), The Winter’s Tale (Cleomenes) at IdahoShakespeare Festival; Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio)at Great Lakes Theater; Henry IV pt. 1 (Hotspur), The Three Musketeers (Aramis), Love’s Labour’s Lost...
Lynn Robert Berg*
Polixenes
Eleven Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Previously at Great Lakes Theater: Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet, Doctor Parker in Bat Boy: The Musical, Banquo in Macbeth, Caliban in The Tempest, Sandy Tyrell in Hay Fever, Marcus Lycus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) and the Ghost of Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol. Other credits: Macbeth in the Short Shakespeare! Macbeth tour and The Feast: An Intimate Tempest with Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Malvolio in Twelfth Night at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival; Bill Walker in Major Barbara, Hortensio in The Taming of the Shrew, Edmund in King Lear and Hastings in She Stoops to Conquer at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival; Prospero in The Tempest at Maine Shakespeare Festival; The Professor in All the Great Books (Abridged) at Delaware Theater Company; and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at Writer’s Theater in Chicago. Lynn holds an MFA from the University of Delaware Professional Theater Training Program. SLL’M Eleven Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Previously at Great Lakes Theater: Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet, Doctor Parker in Bat Boy: The Musical, Banquo in Macbeth, Caliban in The Tempest, Sandy Tyrell in Hay Fever, Marcus Lycus in A...
Laurie Birmingham*
Paulina
Two seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Laurie is blessed to join Great Lakes again this season! Last year Laurie played the Nurse in Romeo andJuliet. Laurie is a 35-year veteran of regional theaters across the United States. She was a resident company member with Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, and played many roles over the 17 years she spent there. Some favorites include Josie Hogan in A Moon for theMisbegotten, Penny Sycamore in You Can’t Take ItWith You and Claire in A Delicate Balance, to name only a few. Other regional credits include Asolo Theatre, Virginia Stage Company, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Connecticut Repertory, Meadowbrook Theatre, NY Shakespeare Exchange and the Tony-Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival. In NYC, Laurie has played in two off-Broadway shows: A Little Journey with The Mint Theatre, nominated for a Drama Desk Award; and created the role of Miss Abigail in Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating, andMarriage. She also narrates for Recorded Books, LLC. TV credits include The Onion News Network, Celebrity Ghost Stories and a pilot called ModernLove. Visit her at www.lauriebirmingham.com. Two seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Laurie is blessed to join Great Lakes again this season! Last year Laurie played the Nurse in Romeo andJuliet. Laurie is a 35-year veteran of regional theaters across the United States. She was a resident company member with Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, and played many...
Lise Bruneau*
Hermione
Great Lakes Theater Debut: Lise is delighted to join Great Lakes Theatre this fall, and so happy to be back in Cleveland after last year’s super fun The Game’s Afoot at Cleveland Playhouse! She is currently a DC resident, and past productions include Heartbreak House (Denver Center), An Ideal Husband, Ion, Othello, The Winters’ Tale (Shakespeare Theatre), Legacy of Light (world premiere, Arena Stage), Mary Stuart, Blithe Spirit, Mrs. Warren’s Profession (Center Stage), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Misalliance (Old Globe), Wars of the Roses (Alabama Shakespeare), Private Lives (Indiana Rep), Pygmalion, As You Like It (Seattle Rep), Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Angels in America (ACT), The Book Club Play (Round House), Love’s Labor’s Lost (Oregon Shakespeare), and Triumph of Love (Berkeley Rep). Lise is also a director, having worked on Hamlet (Nebraska Shakespeare), Savage in Limbo (Metro Stage), and for her teeny and exciting DC company Taffety Punk: Let x, Owl Moon, 5 Bootleg Shakespeares (full productions rehearsed and performed in a single day), and all women productions of Romeo and Juliet, Measure for Measure, and Julius Caesar. Check us out at taffetypunk.com. Lise trained at RADA, and prays that her schedule will allow her even a short moment in the Dog Pound. Great Lakes Theater Debut: Lise is delighted to join Great Lakes Theatre this fall, and so happy to be back in Cleveland after last year’s super fun The Game’s Afoot at Cleveland Playhouse! She is currently a DC resident, and past productions include Heartbreak House...
Sara M. Bruner*
Dorcas
Nine Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Sara is pleased to return to Cleveland and Great Lakes Theater, where she has appeared as a Kate inThe Taming of the Shrew, Fr. Kost in Cabaret, musicianin The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Desdemonain Othello, Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood,Viola in Twelfth Night, Masha in The Seagull, aWitch in Macbeth, Abigail in The Crucible, Ariel inThe Tempest, Raina in Arms and the Man, Opheliain Hamlet, Marianne in Tartuffe, Helena in AMidsummer Night’s Dream and Sorel in HayFever. She has spent 15 years at the IdahoShakespeare Festival. Favorite roles include Julietin Romeo and Juliet, Audrey in Little Shop ofHorrors, Percy in The Spitfire Grill, KateHardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer, Julia in TheTwo Gentlemen of Verona, the Courtesan in TheComedy of Errors, Cecily in The Importance ofBeing Earnest, Zerbinetta in Scapin and Rosalindin As You Like It. She has also adapted and directedmultiple shows for ISF’s educational outreachprogram. Her most recent production wasMacbeth. She also staged A Christmas Carol for GLT in 2011. Sara has performed with The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, BoiseContemporary Theater and Drop DanceCollective and served as assistant director toCharles Fee, Risa Brainin and Victoria Bussert. Nine Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Sara is pleased to return to Cleveland and Great Lakes Theater, where she has appeared as a Kate inThe Taming of the Shrew, Fr. Kost in Cabaret, musicianin The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Desdemonain Othello, Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood,Viola in Twelfth Night,...
Kyle Carthens
Ensemble
First Season at Great Lakes Theater: Kyle is happy to return to the Hanna Theatre stage again this season. He won an Emmy Award for his role in the television program Crimestoppers Case Files: NortheastOhio, and can be seen in the upcoming films FunSize, Alex Cross and most recently in the football film Underdogs which is set for a theatrical release in 2013. Other show credits include Citizen Barlow, Gem of the Ocean; Trombone 7, God’sTrombones; Drawer/Lightbulb/Window, Closure; African Student, Great White Hope; Bass Reeves, ASolitary Voice: Bass Reeves; Zero, Holes. Four Seasons at Karamu House. Other shows include Lowboy, Lower Ninth; Torry, Huck andHolden, The Gospel According to James at Ensemble Theater. Jason Harlan, While I’m Here on this Earth, These are the Times for Cleveland Public Theater, Andre Louis, Seedfolks for the Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio, Victor Frankenstein, Frankenstein; Storyteller, Once onthis Island; Benvolio, Romeo and Juliet at Cleveland Play House. He has also shot industrial videos for Best Buy. Kyle is a proud graduate of the Cleveland School of the Arts in 2009 and is represented by the Docherty Talent and Model Agency. First Season at Great Lakes Theater: Kyle is happy to return to the Hanna Theatre stage again this season. He won an Emmy Award for his role in the television program Crimestoppers Case Files: NortheastOhio, and can be seen in the upcoming films FunSize, Alex Cross and most recently in...
Aled Davies*
Camillo
Twelve seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Previously for GLT: Scrooge/Samuels in A Christmas Carol, Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap, Vincentio in The Taming of the Shrew, Duke of Milan in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Brabantio in Othello,The Earl of Caversham in An Ideal Husband,Sheriff Reynolds in Bat Boy: The Musical, Oberon/Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, YourChairman in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, SeaCaptain/Priest in Twelfth Night, Solinus/Dr. Pinchin The Comedy of Errors, Dorn in The Seagull,Duncan/Old Siward in Macbeth, DeputyGovernor Danforth in The Crucible, King ofFrance in All’s Well That Ends Well, Mr.Witherspoon in Arsenic and Old Lace, Escalus in Measure for Measure, Prospero in The Tempest,David Bliss in Hay Fever, Senex in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Boyet in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, Julius Caesar in Julius Caesar,Claudius in Hamlet, Cleante in Tartuffe, Leonatoin Much Ado About Nothing, Buckingham in Richard III and Topper in A Christmas Carol. Aledhas been a proud and appreciative member ofActors’ Equity Association since 1984. Twelve seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Previously for GLT: Scrooge/Samuels in A Christmas Carol, Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap, Vincentio in The Taming of the Shrew, Duke of Milan in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Brabantio in Othello,The Earl of Caversham in An Ideal Husband,Sheriff...
Jodi Dominick*
Emilia
Five seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Jodi’s previous roles include Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Lady MacDuff in Macbeth, Olivia in Twelfth Night, Helena Landless in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Lady Chiltern in An Ideal Husband, Bianca in Othello, Ivana/Tailor in The Taming of the Shrew, Samson in Romeo and Juliet, Lucetta/Outlaw in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Mrs. Cratchet in A Christmas Carol. Five seasons at Idaho Shakespeare Festival include Into the Woods, Macbeth, The Comedy of Errors, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Twelfth Night, An Ideal Husband, Othello, Two Gentleman of Verona, The Taming of the Shrew, Cabaret, The Mousetrap, The Winter’s Tale and The Imaginary Invalid. Other credits include Diana in I Love You Because at PlayhouseSquare; Helen/Frances/Bad Perm, The Break Up Notebook at The Beck Center for the Arts, New World Stages and Hudson Backstage Theatre; Clara, Passion at The Beck Center for the Arts; Woman 1 and 2 in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare; Debtor’s Wife in A Christmas Carol, Great Lakes Theater; and Gypsy at Great Lakes Theater, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Other shows include Lovelace: A Rock Opera, The Hayworth Theatre; Violet and Bye Bye Birdie, Cain Park; and Closer, Dobama Theatre. Jodi is a graduate of Baldwin- Wallace College Conservatory of Music and proud member of AEA. Five seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Jodi’s previous roles include Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Lady MacDuff in Macbeth, Olivia in Twelfth Night, Helena Landless in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Lady Chiltern in An Ideal Husband, Bianca in...
Tom Ford*
Autolycus
Seven Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Great Lakes Theater : Mr. Paravicini in The Mousetrap, the Baker in Into the Woods, Ross in Macbeth, Pseudolous in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the King of Navarre in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Casca in Julius Caesar, Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Nicola in Arms and the Man and Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Idaho Shakespeare Festival: The Imaginary Invalid, The Winter's Tale, The Mousetrap, Into the Woods, Macbeth, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Gremio in The Taming of the Shrew, Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Touchstone in As You Like It, Julius Caesar, the title role in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and Hucklebee in The Fantasticks. Boise Contemporary Theater: Truman Capote in Tru, I Am My Own Wife (co-produced with ISF). Portland Stage Company: The Snow Queen, Schott in Bach at Leipzig, Lady Enid, et al in The Mystery of Irma Vep, I Am My Own Wife, Billy in Iron Kisses, Kipps in The Woman in Black, Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Max in Lend Me a Tenor, Mr. Manningham in Gaslight and Yvan in Art. Broadway: Alan Ayckbourn and Andrew Lloyd Weber’s By Jeeves at the Helen Hayes Theater. New London Barn Playhouse: Sheridan Whiteside in The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Man in the Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone, Pseudolous in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey, Major General Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance, Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, Sipos in She Loves Me and Max in The Producers. Other performances: Dromio of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors at Pittsburgh Public Theater, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Lincoln Center Director’s Lab, Once Around the City at New York Stage and Film, Rutherford and Son at the Mint Theater, Salvador Dali in Hysteria at Florida Studio Theater, Johnny in Maurice Sendak’s production of Really Rosie and Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at McCarter Theater. tomfordactor.com Seven Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Great Lakes Theater : Mr. Paravicini in The Mousetrap, the Baker in Into the Woods, Ross in Macbeth, Pseudolous in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the King of Navarre in Love’s Labour’s...
Ian Gould*
Antigonus
Three Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Previously at Great Lakes Theater: both Dromio twins in The Comedy of Errors, Medvedenko in The Seagull, Bazzard in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night. Ian performed in all four productions at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival as well, and had a third engagement as Sir Andrew at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Other theater credits include Copenhagen (Luna Stage), The Miser (Centerstage), Amadeus (New Harmony Theater), Rough Crossing (MetroStage), Richard III and The Merry Wives of Windsor (Pearl Theatre Company), The Devil’s Disciple (Metropolitan Playhouse) and Titus Andronicus, The Weir, Cymbeline, Benefactors and Our Country’s Good with Folding Chair Classical Theatre. Film and TV: Friar Jacomo in The Jew of Malta, Law and Order: Criminal Intent and Jeopardy! Training: MFA, The Shakespeare Theatre Company Academy for Classical Acting; BFA, NYU. Proud member of Actors’ Equity. Three Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Previously at Great Lakes Theater: both Dromio twins in The Comedy of Errors, Medvedenko in The Seagull, Bazzard in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night. Ian performed in...
Paul Hurley*
Dion
Three seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Paul is thrilled to return to Great Lakes Theater, where he has appeared as Proteus in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Giles Ralston in The Mousetrap, Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, and performed multiple roles in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Recently he played Neoptolemus in The Cure at Troy (American Players Theatre), Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare Festival St. Louis), and Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest (Remy Bumppo Theatre Company). Other regional credits include work with Chicago Shakespeare Theater (Othello); Milwaukee Repertory Theater (A Christmas Carol, Anna Christie); Madison Repertory Theatre (The Laramie Project); Delaware Theatre Company (Henry V, All the Great Books (Abridged)); Utah Shakespeare Festival (Romeo and Juliet, Doctor Faustus); and seven seasons with American Players Theatre (The Circle, The Belle’s Stratagem, The Merchant of Venice, Timon of Athens, The Cherry Orchard, Hamlet and Love’s Labour’s Lost, among others). Paul holds an MFA from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program. Three seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Paul is thrilled to return to Great Lakes Theater, where he has appeared as Proteus in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Giles Ralston in The Mousetrap, Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, and performed multiple roles in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare...
Sara Hymes
Ensemble
Great Lakes Theater Debut: Roxane, Cyrano; Sarah, Major Barbara; Kate, The Cripple of Inishmaan; Verges, Much Ado About Nothing; Company/Masha, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine; Candy Kendall, The Cider House Rules, Parts I & II; Brakenbury/Bishop of Ely, Richard III; Sorel Bliss, Hayfever; Cherry, The Beaux' Stratagem; Beatrice Rasponi, The Servant of Two Masters; First Fairy/Mustardseed, A Midsummer Night's Dream; Beth Loffreda, The Laramie Project; Ten Years Later, all with the Hilberry Repertory Theatre, and Ursula/Rosie, Sweet Charity with Porthouse Theatre. Other credits include Tickety Tock, Blues Clues, LIVE!; Penny, HONK!; Irina, Three Sisters; Chorus, Urinetown; Katherine, Pippin; Harper Pitt, Angels in America: Millenium Approaches. Sara holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Kent State University, an MFA in Acting from Wayne State University, and a Certificate of Advanced Theatre Training from the Moscow Art Theatre School. Great Lakes Theater Debut: Roxane, Cyrano; Sarah, Major Barbara; Kate, The Cripple of Inishmaan; Verges, Much Ado About Nothing; Company/Masha, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine; Candy Kendall, The Cider House Rules, Parts I & II; Brakenbury/Bishop of Ely, Richard III; Sorel Bliss, Hayfever; Cherry,...
Drew Kopas*
Archidamus/Ensemble
Great Lakes Theater Debut: Drew’s previous roles include Archidamus in The Winter’s Tale at Great Lakes Theater; Valentine in Two Gentlemen of Verona and Gratiano in The Merchant of Venice at Virginia Shakespeare Festival; Curio in Twelfth Night at the Shakespeare Theatre Company; King Louis XIV in Las Meninas at Rep Stage; Gunner in Misalliance and Young Charlie in Da at Olney Theatre Center; Romeo in A Commedia Romeo and Juliet with Faction of Fools; Freddy/Nepommuck in Pygmalion and Frank in All My Sons at Everyman Theatre; Lakshman in The Ramayana and Melchior in On the Razzle at Constellation Theatre; Aldo in Italian American Reconciliation at 1st Stage; Orlando in As You Like It and Valentine in Two Gentlemen of Verona for the National Players. Drew is a graduate of Cleveland State University and holds an MFA in acting from Western Illinois University. Great Lakes Theater Debut: Drew’s previous roles include Archidamus in The Winter’s Tale at Great Lakes Theater; Valentine in Two Gentlemen of Verona and Gratiano in The Merchant of Venice at Virginia Shakespeare Festival; Curio in Twelfth Night at the Shakespeare Theatre Company; King Louis XIV in Las Meninas at...
Kimbre Lancaster*
Perdita
Great Lakes Theater Debut: Kimbre is fresh off the boat from New York City, and is excited for her first season at GLT! Her most recent roles include Angelique in The Imaginary Invalid, Kitty Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Daphne/Mabel (U/S) in The Pirates of Penzance, Ensemble/Amalia (U/S) in She Loves Me, among others (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Clara in Light in the Piazza (Bainbridge Performing Arts), Viola in Twelfth Night, Aggie in Summer of ’42, Hero in Much Ado About Nothing, among others (Idaho Repertory Theatre). Kimbre graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Idaho and is a proud member of AEA. Special thanks to Tracy for being the prize fighter that she is, to Mom and Dad for helping me get off the farm and into the city and to Aunt Vicki and Uncle Bob for always standing behind my dreams! Great Lakes Theater Debut: Kimbre is fresh off the boat from New York City, and is excited for her first season at GLT! Her most recent roles include Angelique in The Imaginary Invalid, Kitty Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Daphne/Mabel (U/S) in The Pirates of Penzance, Ensemble/Amalia (U/S)...
Juan Rivera Lebron*
Clown
Great Lakes Theater Debut: Great Lakes Theater: Clown/Ensemble in The Winter’s Tale and Cleante in The Imaginary Invalid. Other selected credits include Florizel in The Winter’s Tale at The Guthrie Theater. Seven seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, including Claudio in Much AdoAbout Nothing, Sylvio in Servant of Two Masters, Rodolfo in A View from the Bridge, Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, Valentine in The Two Gentlemenof Verona and Bicycle Pants in Lorca in a Green Dress. BFA, Carnegie Mellon University. Member of the U.S. delegation to the Unesco/ITI World Congress in Madrid, Spain, 2008. Recipient of the Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowship funded by the William & Eva Fox Foundation and admin-istered by Theater Communications Group. Member of Actors’ Equity Association. Special thanks to C.W., A, O and B for their love and support. Great Lakes Theater Debut: Great Lakes Theater: Clown/Ensemble in The Winter’s Tale and Cleante in The Imaginary Invalid. Other selected credits include Florizel in The Winter’s Tale at The Guthrie Theater. Seven seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, including Claudio in Much AdoAbout Nothing, Sylvio in Servant of...
Bennett Palmer
Mamillius
Great Lakes Theater debut: Bennett is thrilled to join Great Lakes Theater again after a happy run as Mamillius & Time in Great Lakes Theater's The Winter's Tale. Other previous roles include Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man at Fine Arts Association; Boy Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at Geauga Lyric Theater; Geppetto in The Adventures of Pinocchio and Geppetto, March Hare in The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland, and Michael Darling in Peter Pan at Westwood Elementary School. Other shows include It's A Wonderful Life, Geauga Lyric Theater; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Fine Arts Association; and Theater Arts Camp shows at Fine Arts Association. Bennett loves fencing, playing the trumpet, reading in bed, and... pie! Many thanks to Sara Bruner and Great Lakes Theater for another happy experience! Great Lakes Theater debut: Bennett is thrilled to join Great Lakes Theater again after a happy run as Mamillius & Time in Great Lakes Theater's The Winter's Tale. Other previous roles include Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man at Fine Arts Association; Boy Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at Geauga Lyric Theater; Geppetto...
M. A. Taylor*
Lord/Old Shepard
Ten seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Mark Anthony (aka M.A.) is back for another Spring Rep in the magnificent Hanna Theatre. He has most recently been seen as Charity Man/Old Joe, A Christmas Carol; Old Shepherd/Ensemble, The Winter’s Tale; Guy, The Imaginary Invalid; Peter, Romeo and Juliet; Grumio, The Taming of the Shrew; Speed, The Two Gentlemenof Verona; Actor 3, The Complete Works of WilliamShakespeare (Abridged); Gratiano, Othello; Phipps, An Ideal Husband; Flute/Fairy, A MidsummerNight’s Dream; Durdles, The Mystery of EdwinDrood; and Fabian, Twelfth Night. Also among his credits: Candy in Of Mice and Men (directed by Adrian Hall) for PTTP/Rep, Dracula for Boise Contemporary Theater in the title role, Launce in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Gravedigger/Player King in Hamlet for Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and Crave & Fully Committed for Tooth & Nail Theater in Salt Lake City. Other productionsinclude Arsenic and Old Lace, The Crucible,Tooth of Crime, Translations, An Ideal Husband, Allthe King’s Men, The Effects of Tobacco and Swan Song. Heholds an MFA from the University of Delaware’sProfessional Theatre Training Program (PTTP).He wishes to give Special thanks to his supportivefamilies, both Professional and Genetic, as well as thegracious Staff and Board of Great Lakes Theater. Seeing as it is Spring, after all … Go Tribe !! Ten seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Mark Anthony (aka M.A.) is back for another Spring Rep in the magnificent Hanna Theatre. He has most recently been seen as Charity Man/Old Joe, A Christmas Carol; Old Shepherd/Ensemble, The Winter’s Tale; Guy, The Imaginary Invalid; Peter, Romeo and Juliet; Grumio, The Taming...
Miles Gaston Villanueva*
Florizel
Great Lakes Theater Debut: Mr. Villanueva is thrilled to be spending his first season with Great Lakes Theater. He just finished his very first summer with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, where he performed in productions of Romeo and Juliet, The Imaginary Invalid, and The Winter's Tale. Before that, he performed in a very successful World Premiere Play, Tortilla Curtain, at San Diego Repertory Theatre in Southern California, where he originated more than a handful of characters. This California born actor has been privileged to perform with a number of extraordinary companies up and down the West Coast, including San Jose Repertory Theatre (Legacy of Light, Sonia Flew), TheatreWorks (Sunsets and Margaritas), Shakespeare Santa Cruz (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Julius Caesar), Livermore Shakespeare Festival (Lend Me A Tenor), and Woodward Shakespeare Festival (Othello). Mr. Villanueva is grateful to hold a B.A. from CSU, Fresno and is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association. He sends his utmost gratitude to Sara Bruner and Charlie Fee for taking a chance on him and his deepest love to his family for inspiring, supporting, and loving him with every step. Great Lakes Theater Debut: Mr. Villanueva is thrilled to be spending his first season with Great Lakes Theater. He just finished his very first summer with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, where he performed in productions of Romeo and Juliet, The Imaginary Invalid, and The Winter's Tale. Before that, he performed...
Ryan Vincent
Mamillius
Great Lakes Theater Debut: Ryan is thrilled to join the extraordinary GLT cast as he reprises the role he first performed with the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival! He most recently received critical acclaim as Sacha in the Cleveland Play House/Cleveland Orchestra production of Every Good Boy Deserves Favor at the Allen Theater and as a Spirit in Mozart’s The Magic Flute with Apollo’s Fire at Severance Hall, Kent State and Oberlin. Other credits for the sixth grader at Brady Middle School include multiple performances of The Barber of Seville and Lucia di Lammermoor with Opera Cleveland at the State Theater. Regional roles include Prince Edward in A Royal Mockery at Dobama, Michael Darling in Peter Pan at Mercury Summer Stock, Gavroche in Les Miserables and Theo in Pippin at the Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory, Louis in The King & I and Chip in Beauty and the Beast at Heights Youth Theater, Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka and Kurt in The Sound of Music at Playmakers, Peter in Mame with Hudson Players, and Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol at Geauga Lyric Theater in which he earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Film credits include the award-winning Turning Point and A Silent Truth. Ryan is currently shooting the television pilot “The Zachary Kessler Mystery Adventures” in which he plays the title role. Enjoy the show! Great Lakes Theater Debut: Ryan is thrilled to join the extraordinary GLT cast as he reprises the role he first performed with the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival! He most recently received critical acclaim as Sacha in the Cleveland Play House/Cleveland Orchestra production of Every Good Boy Deserves...
Jordan Whalen
Ensemble
Two Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Great Lakes Theater: Paris in Romeo & Juliet. Regional theatre credits include: Mortimer in Mary Stuart (Meadow Brook Theatre), Wally in Cider House Rules (Hilberry Repertory), Slim in Of Mice and Men (Hilberry Repertory), Archer in The Beaux' Stratagem (Hilberry Repertory), Laertes in Hamlet (Hilberry Repertory), Joe Pitt in Angels in America (StageWest), and Kippy in Take Me Out (StageWest). Jordan holds an M.F.A. from Wayne State University and has trained at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia. Thank you Patrick Gouran and Tony Schmitt and all my teachers for helping me along the way. Much love to my family, friends, and dogs. Two Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Great Lakes Theater: Paris in Romeo & Juliet. Regional theatre credits include: Mortimer in Mary Stuart (Meadow Brook Theatre), Wally in Cider House Rules (Hilberry Repertory), Slim in Of Mice and Men (Hilberry Repertory), Archer in The Beaux' Stratagem (Hilberry Repertory), Laertes in Hamlet (Hilberry Repertory), Joe Pitt in Angels in America (StageWest), and Kippy in Take...
Cody Zak
Ensemble
Two Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Don, A Chorus Line at Kent State University; Link Larkin, Hairspray at the Beck Center for the Arts. His ensemble credits include Ragtime, Grease,Brigadoon, Oklahoma, Rent at Kent State University and Bye, Bye, Birdie at Porthouse Theatre. This is his second show at Great Lakes Theater, he last appeared in Romeo and Juliet in the ensemble. Other credits include Joe Hardy, Damn Yankees; Anthony Marston in Agatha Christie’s And ThenThere Were None; the ensembles of Godspell, Annie,Children of Eden; Sonny in Grease and Windermere Hightower in The Curse of the Aching Heart. Cody is a senior at Kent State University pursuing his B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. He is also currently an Equity Membership Candidate. Two Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Don, A Chorus Line at Kent State University; Link Larkin, Hairspray at the Beck Center for the Arts. His ensemble credits include Ragtime, Grease,Brigadoon, Oklahoma, Rent at Kent State University and Bye, Bye, Birdie at Porthouse Theatre. This is his second show at Great...
David Anthony Smith*
Leontes
Ten seasons at Great Lakes Theater: In 10 seasons at Great Lakes Theater, audiences have seen him as Iago in Othello, Viscount Goring in An IdealHusband, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’sDream, Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Macduff in Macbeth, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, Sergius in Arms and the Man, Algernon in TheImportance of Being Earnest, Marc Antony in Julius Caesar and Berowne in Love’s Labour’s Lost. He has performed at the Tony-Award-winning Old Globe Theater in San Diego, South Coast Repertory, 12 seasons with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival (title role in Henry V), at Laguna Playhouse, Sierra Rep, Madison Rep and the Shakespeare festivals of Utah, Colorado, Garden Grove, Rhode Island and Nevada. Forever and a day — Natalia. Ten seasons at Great Lakes Theater: In 10 seasons at Great Lakes Theater, audiences have seen him as Iago in Othello, Viscount Goring in An IdealHusband, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’sDream, Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Macduff in Macbeth, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, Sergius in Arms and the Man,...
* Members of the Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Jesse Berger
Director
Two Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Great Lakes Theater: Paris in Romeo & Juliet. Regional theatre credits include: Mortimer in Mary Stuart (Meadow Brook Theatre), Wally in Cider House Rules (Hilberry Repertory), Slim in Of Mice and Men (Hilberry Repertory), Archer in The Beaux' Stratagem (Hilberry Repertory), Laertes in Hamlet (Hilberry Repertory), Joe Pitt in Angels in America (StageWest), and Kippy in Take Me Out (StageWest). Jordan holds an M.F.A. from Wayne State University and has trained at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia. Thank you Patrick Gouran and Tony Schmitt and all my teachers for helping me along the way. Much love to my family, friends, and dogs. Two Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Great Lakes Theater: Paris in Romeo & Juliet. Regional theatre credits include: Mortimer in Mary Stuart (Meadow Brook Theatre), Wally in Cider House Rules (Hilberry Repertory), Slim in Of Mice and Men (Hilberry Repertory), Archer in The Beaux' Stratagem (Hilberry Repertory), Laertes in Hamlet (Hilberry Repertory), Joe Pitt in Angels in America (StageWest), and Kippy in Take Me Out (StageWest). Jordan holds an M.F.A. from Wayne State University and has trained at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia. Thank you Patrick Gouran...
Charles Fee
GLT Producing Artistic Director
Eleven seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Directing credits at GLT: Blithe Spirit, Romeo and Juliet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, All’s Well That Ends Well, Hamlet, Hay Fever, The Importance of Being Earnest, Arms and the Man and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Charles holds a unique position in the American theater as producing artistic director of three independently operated, professional theater companies: Great Lakes Theater in Cleveland, Ohio (since 2002), Idaho Shakespeare Festival in Boise, Idaho (since 1991) and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival in Lake Tahoe, Nevada (since 2010). His appointments have resulted in a dynamic and groundbreaking producing model for the companies, in which 45 plays have been shared since 2002. In 2009, Charles was honored to receive recognition for his leadership by the Cleveland Arts Prize as a recipient of the Martha Joseph Award. Other awards include The Mayor’s and Governor’s awards for Excellence in the Arts, in Boise, Idaho. From 1988 to 1992, he held the position of artistic director at the Sierra Repertory Theatre in California. He has also worked with The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, the Milwaukee and Missouri repertory theaters, Actor’s Theatre of Phoenix and the Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival. In addition to his work with the companies in Ohio, Idaho and Nevada, Charles is active within the community. He has served as a member of the strategic planning committee for the Morrison Center, as producer of the FUNDSY Award Gala (’96, ’98 and 2000), and as producer of the 1996 Idaho Governor’s Awards in the Arts. Charles has served on the board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Downtown Rotary Club. He received his B.A. from the University of the Pacific and Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, San Diego. Along with his wife, Lidia, and 17-year-old daughter, Alexa, Charles resides in Boise, Cleveland and Lake Tahoe –– a feat that is only possible because of the incredible love and support of his family, and the generous communities he serves! Eleven seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Directing credits at GLT: Blithe Spirit, Romeo and Juliet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, All’s Well That Ends Well, Hamlet, Hay Fever, The Importance of Being Earnest, Arms and the Man and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Charles holds a unique position in the American theater as producing artistic director of three independently...
David M. Barber
Scenic Designer
Great Lakes Theater Debut: New York Off-Broadway: The Orphans’ Home Cycle (Signature Theater Co.), TOKIO Confidential (Atlantic Stage 2), A Simple Heart (Classic Stage Co.), Women Beware Women (Red Bull Theatre Co.) Off-Off-Broadway: Gabrielle Lansner Dance Co., Chashama, HERE, the Ice Factory Festival, Rattlestick Theatre, Present Tense Theatre, Chekhov NOW Festival, Tinderbox Theatre Group, Actors’ Studio, etc. Regional: Baltimore Center Stage, Hartford Stage, Denver Center, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Cleveland Public Theater, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Two River Theater Co., Barrington Stage Co., Dorset Theatre Festival, others. Television: The TODAY Show, Football Night In America, E! Network News, the Daily 10 (Art Director), Woodstock ‘99 (production designer). Film: Also Lies, The Good Wife (production designer) Other: Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus 134th Blue Tour (Art Director). Awards: Drama Desk, American Theatre Wing Henry Hewes Award, Connecticut Critics Circle Award, Denver Ovation Award, Denver Critics Circle Award. Represented US at the Prague Quadrennial ‘99. Member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. www.davidmbarber.com Great Lakes Theater Debut: New York Off-Broadway: The Orphans’ Home Cycle (Signature Theater Co.), TOKIO Confidential (Atlantic Stage 2), A Simple Heart (Classic Stage Co.), Women Beware Women (Red Bull Theatre Co.) Off-Off-Broadway: Gabrielle Lansner Dance Co., Chashama, HERE, the Ice Factory Festival, Rattlestick Theatre, Present Tense Theatre, Chekhov NOW Festival, Tinderbox Theatre Group, Actors’ Studio, etc. Regional: Baltimore Center Stage, Hartford Stage, Denver Center, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Colorado Shakespeare...
Jason Hartley
Choreographer
Great Lakes Theater Debut: Originally from Des Moines Iowa, Jason Hartley began as a gymnast and a music lover. He received formal training in Ballet and Modern dance from the North Carolina School of the Arts. In his 16 years as a professional dancer, Jason has danced leading roles with numerous companies including The Washington Ballet, Trey McIntyre Project, Ballet Met Columbus, and CityDance Ensemble. In 1995 Jason received the level 1 award from the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts, and in 1996 Jason received the Princess Grace Award for dance, and is the first recipient ofthe Chris Hellman award. Jason has over 13 years experience as a teacher and répétiteur for such companies as: Colorado Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Trey McIntyre Project, Harvard Ballet Company and Ballet Memphis. In 2002 Jason received a grant from the Kennedy Center to choreograph for the Millennium Stage. He has choreographed original works for the Washington Ballet, Dance Theater of Pennsylvania, Balance Dance Company and ARKA Ballet, and has performed his work for the Youth American Grand Prix and Dancers Responding to Aids galas. Recently, Mr. Hartley co-founded Boise Dance Co-op and serves as Executive Producer, Choreographer and Company Dancer. Great Lakes Theater Debut: Originally from Des Moines Iowa, Jason Hartley began as a gymnast and a music lover. He received formal training in Ballet and Modern dance from the North Carolina School of the Arts. In his 16 years as a professional dancer, Jason has danced leading roles with numerous companies including The Washington Ballet, Trey McIntyre Project, Ballet Met Columbus, and CityDance Ensemble. In 1995 Jason received the level 1 award from the...
Rick Martin
Lighting Designer
Ten seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Many productions with GLT and ISF. Other theater: U.S. premiere of Kurt Weil’s Marie Galante (Opéra Français de NY), Hekabe, The Illiad and The Rage of Achilles with Music-Theatre Group (New York and Santa Fe) and The Bitter Tearsof Petra van Kant (Henry Miller Theatre, New York). Opera: Le Diable dans le beffroi, La Chutede la Maison Usher (Opéra national de Paris – scenery and lighting), Castor et Pollux, Pelléas etMéllisande and To Be Sung (Opéra Français de NY), Dialogues desCarmélites (Opéra de Toulon) and Roméo et Juliette (Spoleto Festival USA). Concerts: Le martyre de Saint Sébastien (Cité de la Musique, Paris and Arsenal, Metz), Orchestre national de Lyon and the Orchestre de Champs Élysées (Lyon, Poitiers, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, São Paulo). Coming up: Harawi (Opéra Comique, Paris - scenery and lighting) Member: United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE. Ten seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Many productions with GLT and ISF. Other theater: U.S. premiere of Kurt Weil’s Marie Galante (Opéra Français de NY), Hekabe, The Illiad and The Rage of Achilles with Music-Theatre Group (New York and Santa Fe) and The Bitter Tearsof Petra van Kant (Henry Miller Theatre, New York). Opera: Le Diable dans le beffroi, La Chutede la Maison Usher (Opéra national de Paris – scenery and lighting), Castor et Pollux,...
Sara Jean Tosetti
Costume Designer
Great Lakes Theater Debut: Sara is originally from Paris. This is happily her 5th collaboration with Jesse Berger. Previous collaborations: The Maids (Red Bull Theater), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis), June Moon (Dorset Theatre Festival) and Arcadia (NYU). Opera: Carmen (directed by Danny Pelzig), Orpheus in the Underworld, Cendrillon (directed by Marc Astafan), Butterfly (choreographed by Danny Pelzig, directed by JinYoung Kim, South Korea). Theater: Manuscript (Daryl Roth, directed by Bob Balaban) The Exonerated (Culture Project, directed by Bob Balaban), 8 seasons at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival: Richard III (directed by Terry O’Brien), Antony and Cleopatra (directed by David Muse), The Rivals (directed by Gia Fourakis), among others. Dance: Phoenix Rising (choreographed by Dwight Rhoden with Complexions Inc, New Victory Theatre), Sediment (Johannes Wieland, Jacob’s Pillow). Film/TV: Levi’s America campaign (directed by Cary Fukunaga), The Exonerated (Court TV, directed by Bob Balaban), The Peter Cooper Story (PBS, directed by Janet Gardner). She was the associate costume designer for Anything Goes (designed by Martin Pakledinaz—Tony nomination), and an assistant costume designer for the film Jane Eyre (designed by Michael O-Connor—Oscar nomination). She herself has an MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and is a Princess Grace Award Recipient. Great Lakes Theater Debut: Sara is originally from Paris. This is happily her 5th collaboration with Jesse Berger. Previous collaborations: The Maids (Red Bull Theater), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis), June Moon (Dorset Theatre Festival) and Arcadia (NYU). Opera: Carmen (directed by Danny Pelzig), Orpheus in the Underworld, Cendrillon (directed by Marc Astafan), Butterfly (choreographed by Danny Pelzig, directed by JinYoung Kim, South Korea). Theater: Manuscript (Daryl Roth,...
Brandon Wolcott
Sound Designer
Great Lakes Theater Debut: Brandon has composed music and designed sound for dance and theater at dozens of spaces around NYC and the U.S.. He is the resident sound designer for Collaboration Town and The Woodshed Collective. Recently: Sound Design for Kiss the Air at the Park Avenue Armory with Elizabeth Streb. Original music and sound design for Titus Andronicus at The Public. The Maids with Red Bull Theater Company., The Tenant, a massive theatrical installation with the Woodshed Collective. An Immersive Balm in Gilead at Industry City, directed by Brian Mertes. His music project, Smirk, has performed all over the world, including appearances at Unsound in Krakow, Mutek in Montreal and the Save Festival in Moscow. Upcoming release of post-classical music on Clown and Sunset Aesthetics. Great Lakes Theater Debut: Brandon has composed music and designed sound for dance and theater at dozens of spaces around NYC and the U.S.. He is the resident sound designer for Collaboration Town and The Woodshed Collective. Recently: Sound Design for Kiss the Air at the Park Avenue Armory with Elizabeth Streb. Original music and sound design for Titus Andronicus at The Public. The Maids with Red Bull Theater Company., The Tenant, a massive theatrical installation with the Woodshed Collective. An...
Adam Wernick
Composer
Two Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Adam Wernick has been a composer, arranger and sound designer for more than twenty-five years. His work has been heard in many venues, including The Guthrie Theater, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Denver Center Theater Company, Manhattan Theater Club, The Public Theater, The Kennedy Center, The Royal Shakespeare Company and many others. His commissioned concert works have been performed by The 21st Century Consort, Network for New Music, Orchestra 2001, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, American Composers Forum and others. Adam's work has been supported by grants from The McKnight Foundation, The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, The Independence Foundation, The Philadelphia Music Project, The Presser Foundation, The Henson Foundation and ASCAP. Two Seasons at Great Lakes Theater: Adam Wernick has been a composer, arranger and sound designer for more than twenty-five years. His work has been heard in many venues, including The Guthrie Theater, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Denver Center Theater Company, Manhattan Theater Club, The Public Theater, The Kennedy Center, The Royal Shakespeare Company and many others. His commissioned concert works have been performed by The 21st Century Consort, Network for New Music,...
Corrie E. Purdum
Production Stage Manager
Seven seasons at Great Lakes Theater: GLT: The Taming of the Shrew, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Christmas Carol, The Tempest, Measure for Measure, The Crucible, Into the Woods, The Comedy of Errors, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Bat Boy: The Musical, Othello, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Cabaret, The Mousetrap, Sondheim on Sondheim, The Winter’s Tale, and Much Ado About Nothing.Other credits include The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at Lake TahoeShakespeare Festival, seven seasons with IdahoShakespeare Festival, six seasons with theCleveland Play House and three seasons with CainPark. Corrie is an alumna of Baldwin-WallaceCollege, where she teaches stage management. Seven seasons at Great Lakes Theater: GLT: The Taming of the Shrew, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Christmas Carol, The Tempest, Measure for Measure, The Crucible, Into the Woods, The Comedy of Errors, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Bat Boy: The Musical, Othello, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Cabaret, The Mousetrap, Sondheim on Sondheim, The Winter’s Tale, and Much Ado About Nothing.Other credits include The Complete Works of William...
Sunday, October 21, 2012
...an epic production...a superbly done performance...(a 5 out of 5 stars)
By Examiner.com
-Mark Horning
One does not simply watch Shakespeare, one grows from the experience. Good Shakespeare is the high-water mark of the acting profession. They are the roles that all serious actors dream of. To utter on stage the words written over 400 years ago that still resonate with power and drama to this day is the crowning glory of achievement for members of the thespian class.
Great Lakes Theatre staging of William Shakespeare's is currently playing at the Hanna Theatre. One cannot help but to lavish praise when one has witnessed an extraordinary portrayal. It is an epic production. This is not to say that it is grandiose, it is simply a superbly done performance from start to finish. From the costuming, to the set design, to the special effects, to the lighting, to the sound, to the superb acting it has all the elements of greatness.
View slideshow: Great Lakes Theater's production of 'The Winter's Tale' is picture perfect
It is a performance worthy of Cleveland and I can say this because of the support that this play has had. Even after three weeks it is still playing to a full house. This is testament to Cleveland's love of the fine arts. The Hanna Theatre is the perfect venue for Great Lakes Theater. It is intimate yet large enough to hold a fairly large audience. You are close enough to feel involved with the action on stage without being intimidated. Everyone associated with the theater is devoted to seeing you have the best experience possible.
One cannot help put to lavish praise when one has witnessed and extraordinary portrayal. It is an epic production.
What makes this current production so unique is the fact that a majority of the actors playing in The Winter's Tale are also cast in Molire's "The Imaginary Invalid" sometimes switching from one day to the next. It is a tribute to their acting dexterity to be able to pull off superb performances in each.
Although each and every part of "The Winter's Tale" was portrayed with extreme precision and skill, special note should be made of the following. David Anthony Smith as Leontes whose fiery portrayal made you feel his madness, jealousy and pain. Lise Bruneau as his long suffering wife Hermione who brought grace and elegance to her difficult role, M.A. Taylor as the Old Shepherd who infused a liveliness in the role that was a joy to behold, Juan Rivera Lebron as Clown (the shepherd's son) who played the perfect foil to Tom Ford as Autolycus (the rogue) who offered up comic relief in an otherwise dark setting thus giving a needed break from the seriousness of the work.
There are only a few performances of The Winter's Tale and if you love live theater, this is one that you should definitely experience. It is a play that will change you in many ways and all for the better. I award it with a glowing five stars and thank the actors and actresses for a wonderful journey that they took me on tonight.
-Mark Horning
One does not simply watch Shakespeare, one grows from the experience. Good Shakespeare is the high-water mark of the acting profession. They are the roles that all serious actors dream of. To utter on stage the words written over 400 years ago that still resonate with power and drama to this day is the crowning glory of achievement for members of the thespian class.
Great Lakes Theatre staging of William...
Monday, October 08, 2012
...immediately accessible and always interesting...
By The News Herald
-Bob Abelman
"...the very talented core of Great Lakes performers...demonstrate their astounding ability to master lyrical poetry and make Shakespeare's work immediately accessible and always interesting to modern audiences."
Monday, October 08, 2012
"...a beautifully conceived production..."
By Cleveland Jewish News
-Fran Heller
"Director Jesse Berger's playful imagination and vision yield a beautifully conceived production that endeavors to make the convoluted plot of 'The Winter's Tale' more accessible by blending the play's disparate elements and clumsy construction into a well-told tale bearing all the visual elements of good storytelling."
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
"Thank you for a memorable afternoon."
By Pam (patron email)
"It has been quite a while since I have read or seen a Shakespearean play and this was a wonderful way to renew my interest. The acting was excellent. I so enjoyed this reintroduction and can't wait to see other productions. Thank you for a memorable afternoon."
Monday, October 08, 2012
"Keep up the great work."
By Ken (patron email)
"Jean and I absolutely loved the play. It has moved from an unknown to one of our favorite Shakespeare plays. Keep up the great work."
Monday, October 08, 2012
"enjoyed it very much."
By Eileen (patron email)
"My husband and I saw 'The Winter's Tale' and enjoyed it very much."
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
"We loved The Winter's Tale."
By Jeff (patron email)
"We loved The Winter's Tale. I especially like when you take on new plays that I haven't read before. We've been attending the Great Lakes Theater Festival (aka Shakespeare Festival) since the days of Tom Hanks. Keep up the good work and keep bringing us Shakespeare plays!"
2012-13 Season Commences with a Shakespearean Epic and A 60s-Inspired, Music-Infused Moliere Comedy
August 24, 2012
THE WINTER’S TALE and THE IMAGINARY INVALID kick off Great Lakes Theater’s 51st season in rotating repertory at the Hanna Theatre.
CLEVELAND, OH (August 28, 2012) - Great Lakes Theater (GLT) will commence its 2012-13 season at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare, with a Fall Repertory that features William Shakespeare’s epic of romance and renewal, The Winter’s Tale and a 60s-inspired, music -infused adaptation of Molière’s comic classic, The Imaginary Invalid. The productions will be performed in rotating repertory September 28 – November 4, 2012. The Fall Repertory...
Actors Lise Bruneau (as Hermione) and Lynn Robert Berg (as Polixenes) star in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. The production will run in rotating repertory with a 60s-inspired, music-infused adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy "The Imaginary Invalid" through November 4, 2012. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
David Anthony Smith (as Leontes) stars in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. The production will run in rotating repertory with a 60s-inspired, music-infused adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy "The Imaginary Invalid" through November 4, 2012. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actor Lori Birmingham (center, as Paulina) holds two lords at bay (actors M.A. Taylor, left and Juan Rivera Lebron, right) in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. The production will run in rotating repertory with a 60s-inspired, music-infused adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy "The Imaginary Invalid" through November 4, 2012. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actors David Anthony Smith (left, as Leontes) and Aled Davies (right, as Camillo) share an intense moment in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. The production will run in rotating repertory with a 60s-inspired, music-infused adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy "The Imaginary Invalid" through November 4, 2012. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actors Lori Birmingham (left, as Paulina) and David Anthony Smith (right, as Leontes) star in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. The production will run in rotating repertory with a 60s-inspired, music-infused adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy "The Imaginary Invalid" through November 4, 2012. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actors Miles Gaston Villanueva (left, as Florizel) and Kimbre Lancaster (right, as Perdita) share a tender moment in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. The production will run in rotating repertory with a 60s-inspired, music-infused adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy "The Imaginary Invalid" through November 4, 2012. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Actor Juan Rivera Lebron (as a Clown) shows off some impressive hops in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. The production will run in rotating repertory with a 60s-inspired, music-infused adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy "The Imaginary Invalid" through November 4, 2012. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Tom Ford (as Autolycus) takes center stage and shows his “wares” in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. The production will run in rotating repertory with a 60s-inspired, music-infused adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy "The Imaginary Invalid" through November 4, 2012. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Juan Rivera Lebron (left, as a Clown/son) and M.A. Taylor (right, as an Old Shepherd/father) celebrate their unexpected, new-found wealth in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. The production will run in rotating repertory with a 60s-inspired, music-infused adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy "The Imaginary Invalid" through November 4, 2012. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
The royal family, actors Lise Bruneau (left, as Hermione), David Anthony Smith (center, as Leontes) and Kimbre Lancaster (right, as Perdita) takes center stage in Great Lakes Theater's season opening production of William Shakespeare's romantic epic "The Winter's Tale" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. The production will run in rotating repertory with a 60s-inspired, music-infused adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy "The Imaginary Invalid" through November 4, 2012. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
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