King Lear

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Liz Lauren

Nathan Barlow, Josh Krause, La Shawn Banks and Brian Mani (from left) in "King Lear."

Nathan Barlow, Josh Krause, La Shawn Banks and Brian Mani (from left) in "King Lear," American Players Theatre, 2024

As usual, Shakespeare manages to fit right into the contemporary zeitgeist. The tale is of an elderly king who is not making the wisest choices any more. He seeks to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, giving the most money and land to the one who flatters him the most. Themes of familial love, devotion and betrayal run throughout, along with the lust for power, the quest for sincerity, and the difficulty of dealing with grandpa after the car keys get taken away. While King Lear has often been seen as depressing, it’s also one of the Bard’s most insightful works. As Lear says, “Who is it that can tell me who I am?” In repertory through Sept. 28.

media release: August 9 – September 28, in the Hill Theatre.

Lear rides in on an emotional avalanche, bearing with him perhaps the greatest of Shakespeare’s tragedies. An aloof leader learns the truth about his place in the hearts of kith and kin and lashes out with the fury of a scorned king; his rage launching events that spin out of control with increasing speed. The void left in his wake offers fertile feeding ground for the power-hungry, and a graveyard for those who oppose his whims. But within that maelstrom lives some of the Bard’s most moving verse, offering moments of sparkling oasis where hope finds its place to shine. A parable about wisdom that comes not with age, but with empathy; a deeply relevant classic best seen under the sheltering stars. Running August 9 - September 28.

Featuring Brian Mani, La Shawn Banks, Nathan Barlow, Sarah Day, Jim DeVita, Rasell Holt, Chiké Johnson, Jessica Ko, Josh Krause, Samantha Newcomb, James Ridge, Nancy Rodriguez, Ronald Román-Meléndez, Triney Sandoval

Contains adult themes