OpenStage Theatre Presents KING LEAR, Runs 6/3-7/3

When the misguided King Lear presents his daughters with the keys to his kingdom, he unleashes a savage storm that reduces his realm to a land of cosmic chaos and earthbound human suffering.

Arguably one of Shakespeare's greatest plays, King Lear "touches the heart and rattles the soul," said Peter Anthony, who directs the OpenStage Theatre's production, which features retired professional actor Jonathan Farwell in the title role.

"I've done enough Shakespeare in my life," said Farwell." It would be a shame if I didn't tackle King Lear before it's too late." Farwell turns 80 this year. "I did a reading 40 years ago at the Cleveland Play House with my daughters portraying Lear's daughters. That whole relationship gave me pause, in terms of being a father. Now it's time to tackle this difficult role at the proper age."

King Lear will cap a career in which Farwell has acted in over 100 plays, including performing in four
productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, four of The Tempest, two of Richard II and two of The Taming of the Shrew. The theatrical veteran boasts appearances from local festivals to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., from Broadway to Hollywood.

The idea for the production began when director Anthony saw Farwell chatting after a show and thought, "This man has to do Lear. So I went across the lobby to propose the project. Jonathan was thrilled with the proposal."

The two collaborated on the production's overall vision, agreeing to set the play in an ancient mythological realm that combines elements of both western and eastern influences. According to Anthony, "The Asiatic touches make the piece feel uncluttered while bringing in the culture's mystical elements."

The play's mysticism is brought to the fore by transforming The Fool from a simple court jester into Lear's unseen conscience. Farwell's wife and long-time stage partner Deb Note-Farwell will take on this shape-shifting "Jonathan is truly making Lear his own," said Anthony. "He has such a deep emotional pool from which to draw and he has the tools to express it. Jonathan makes the text come alive, as though the archaic words were born in his mouth, rather than being performed from a page. He sets a high standard, and we're blessed to have a powerful cast capable of meeting that challenge. It's going to be quite a ride for everyone."

Farwell will be joined onstage by OpenStage Theatre veterans Denise Burson Freestone, Charlie Ferrie, Greg Clark, Flavia Florezell, Gregory J. Adams, Jake Offen and Mark Terzani, among others.

Performances will be at Fort Collins Masonic Temple, the third time OpenStage has performed this season at the historical building on West Oak St. Anthony and his designers are transforming the space to create a unique, intimate theatrical experience.

Performances of King Lear are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights from June 3 to July 3, with Sunday matinées at 2 p.m. June 12, 19, 26 and July 3. Performances are at the Masonic Temple, 225 W. Oak St., Fort Collins.

Individual tickets range from $20-$25 for adults, and $15-$18 for seniors, students and groups of 10 or more. Matinee tickets range from $15-$20 per person. Prices increase as each individual performance starts to sell out, so it is recommended that patrons purchase their tickets early.

Tickets for FAB Friday, sponsored by Boulder Beer, at 8 p.m. on June 10, are $12 and include a free beer at intermission.

There is an additional "pay-what-you-can" performance on Thursday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. Admission to "pay-what-you-can" is by donation at the door with no advance reservations.

Tickets are available from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, through the Lincoln Center box office at (970) 221-6730 and online at www.LCTIX.com.

PlayClub on Saturday, June 11 at 8 p.m. will include a post-show discussion facilitated by Reader's Cove Bookstore.

Childcare is available for the Friday performances on June 3 and 17 and July 1, through Young People's Learning Center, 209 E. Plum St. Call Young People's Learning Center at 970-482-1212 for childcare reservations.

A free performance for students and educators, funded by The Thornton Family Foundation, will be
presented on Thursday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. To make reservations for the student/educator performance, contact OpenStage Theatre at 970-484-5237.

A play guide containing information on the play and the playwrights is available online at www.openstage.com.

Click on the King Lear button on the home page and then select the Play Guide icon at the top of the show page.

Audiences are invited to meet the cast of King Lear following every performance.

Major funding for King Lear is provided by Style Magazine. The Acting Company is underwritten by Kneeland Law, LLC, and the Theatrical Lighting is underwritten by Wagner Rents.

OpenStage Theatre's 38th anniversary season is sponsored by A-Train Marketing Communications, Shaw and Associates, Beet Street and Witt Gross of Coldwell Banker. Support is also provided by grants from the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority, the City of Fort Collins Fort Fund, Colorado Creative Industries and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information, visit OpenStage's website at www.openstage.com or call 970-484-5237. Founded in 1973, OpenStage Theatre is a recipient of the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts and a member of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for not-for-profit professional theatres.

A not-for-profit organization, OpenStage Theatre relies heavily on the support of sponsors and patrons who help make each season a success. With assistance from corporations, foundations and the general public, OpenStage has been able to maintain high quality productions for 38 years. For information on sponsorship and charitable gifts and on how you can support OpenStage Theatre, please call 970-484-5237.

 

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