Franklin Stage Company Presents Rehearsed Reading of KING LEAR

The Franklin Stage Company continues its 20th season on August 12-14 with a rehearsed reading of William Shakespeare's towering tragedy, King Lear. Performances are Friday August 12th, Saturday August 13th at 8pm, and Sunday August 14th at 5pm. Director Josh Santiago brings to life this relevant and epic tale of power, politics, and family with a cast of both experienced FSC veterans and fledgling professional actors alongside teenaged performers who will rehearse together for a week before the weekend's performances.

FSC is delighted to present Shakespeare's masterpiece in 2016 as the world commemorates 400 years since the bard's death. Equally inspiring is the roster of talent involved in this rehearsed reading, which fits perfectly the theme of FSC's 20th season: embracing the future with exhilarating interpretations of classics from a dynamic new generation of professional theatre artists.

Director Santiago graduated from SUNY Oneonta, where he studied Theatre and Philosophy. He has worked at FSC since 2013 - from Intern to Company Manager, and from Actor to Lighting Designer and Director. Actors include: FSC's Artistic Director Carmela Marner in the role of Lear, Liz Kimball (We 3; The Winter's Tale) as Kent, Duncan Smith (A Month in the Country) as Gloucester, Felix Bridel as The Fool, and Samantha Nugent (Tartuffe), Rosalee DeHuff (An Ideal Husband), and 2016 Intern Lea Davis as Lear's daughters. Rounding out the cast are long-time Intern Jacob Glueckert as Oswald, SUNY graduates Taylor Weinberg and Chris Mackin as Edmund and Cornwall, respectively, and Brad Michalakis as Edgar.

As always at FSC, admission is free (donations gratefully accepted) and reservations are recommended. To make a reservation, call 607-829-3700. FSC is located in Chapel Hall at 25 Institute Street in Franklin, NY.

Programming is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. More details about FSC, Chapel Hall and this 20th season can be found at franklinstagecompany.org

Photo Credit: Riika Olson