The Public Theater has announced the cast for its upcoming Free Shakespeare in the Park production of The Winter's Tale, directed by Daniel Sullivan. This marks Sullivan's 12th production for the renowned outdoor theater series, and the play itself has a history of captivating audiences at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
The story unfolds as King Leontes of Sicilia becomes consumed by jealousy, suspecting his pregnant wife of infidelity. In a desperate attempt to protect his reputation, he orders the royal baby to be smuggled to the coast of Bohemia, where an old shepherd, played by Chuck Cooper, finds and raises the child, renaming her Perdita. Sixteen years later, Perdita, portrayed by Isabela Ferrer, falls in love with another young shepherd, Doricles, played by Michael Khalid Karadsheh, who is actually a prince in disguise. The play explores themes of honesty, love, and destiny, with a stellar ensemble cast.
The cast includes Raúl Esparza as Leontes, Lily Rabe as Hermione, Teagle F. Bougere as Camillo, Matthew Eby as Mamillius/Time/Ensemble, Katie Griffith as Mopsa/Ensemble, Alex Hernandez as Cleomenes/Ensemble, Daniel Kyri as Florizel, Aubie Merrylees as Archidamus/Ensemble, Jennifer Mogbock as Emilia/Ensemble, Gilbert Owuor as Polixenes, Violeta Picayo as Ensemble, Bianca Rogoff as Ensemble, Matthew Russell as Dion/Ensemble, Steven Skybell as Antigonus/Autolycus, and Jackson Whitman as Ensemble.
This production boasts a talented creative team, including scenic design by Maruti Evans, costume design by Linda Cho, sound design by Brian Ronan, composition by Tom Kitt, hair and wig design by Tom Watson, sound system design by Mike Tracey, puppet design by James Ortiz, and prop management by Rachel Kenner. Caroline Englander serves as the production stage manager, with Jessie Moore and Luisa Sánchez Colón as stage managers.
The Winter's Tale has a rich history at Free Shakespeare in the Park, with previous productions in 1963 starring James Earl Jones, 1989 featuring Christopher Reeve and Mandy Patinkin, 2000 with Michael Stuhlbarg, and 2010 showcasing Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jesse L. Martin, Hamish Linklater, Linda Emond, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson. This long-standing tradition of bringing Shakespeare to the public in Central Park has solidified its place as a cultural cornerstone in New York City, offering free theater to all who wish to attend.
