Photo Flash: First Look at Rubicon Theatre Company's KING LEAR

Rubicon Theatre presents a timely and trenchant production of Shakespeare's tragedy KING LEAR as the centerpiece of the company's 20th Anniversary Season. Directed by Co-Founder James O'Neil, the production features a 20-member cast led by acclaimed actor and company member George Ball, who has starred in previous Rubicon productions of All My Sons, Man of La Mancha, and Jacques Brel... (New York, L.A., and international companies of the latter).

According to O'Neil, "KING LEAR is the story of a narcissistic ruler who craves adulation, exiles those who question his authority, and neglects those on the fringes of society." Considered by many to be Shakespeare's greatest masterpiece, KING LEAR is a haunting and epic saga of love, greed, family strife, and civil war. Rubicon's production of KING LEAR begins previews on March 14, 2018 and opens on Saturday evening, March 17 at Rubicon Theatre Company's intimate home, a former historic church located in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District. The opening night post-show party is at Rhumb Line Restaurant at Ventura Harbor. The production continues Wednesdays through Sundays through April 1. For tickets, go to www.rubicontheatre.org or call 805.667.2900.

Set in ancient Britain, the plot of KING LEAR follows an aging sovereign who announces that he will divide his kingdom among his three daughters in proportion to their professed affection for him. When his youngest daughter Cordelia refuses to flatter her father falsely, Lear becomes irrational and enraged, exiling his beloved child and his longtime friend and advisor, the Earl of Kent, and the kingdom is thrown into a state of confusion. More family drama ensues when Edmund, the illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester, convinces his father that his half-brother Edgar intends to murder Gloucester.

Lear's elder daughters Goneril and Regan reveal their true natures and turn on their father; and Lear, his Fool and companions find themselves in a raging, bitter storm. As the monarchy collapses, Lear descends into madness. Lear ultimately comes to understands the folly of his actions, too late to save those who were most loyal to him.

In addition to Ball, the ensemble features Beverly Ward (Broadway/National Tours) and Meghan Andrews (Broadway/Steppenwolf) as Lear's scheming daughters Goneril and Regan. Sylvie Davidson (Lonesome Traveler at Rubicon and Off-Broadway) portrays Lear's youngest daughter Cordelia. Joel Bryant (Moonlight and Magnolias at Rubicon/Shakespeare by the Sea) assays the role of Lear's devoted and stalwart friend Kent; and Louis A. Lortoto (Rubicon's The Tempest/South Coast Rep) comforts, cajoles and pities the king as Lear's Fool. Joseph Fuqua, who has appeared in more than thirty Rubicon productions including the title role in Hamlet, plays the role of Regan's sadistic husband the Duke of Cornwall, and Michael Matthys (The Guthrie/Shakespeare Festival LA) plays Goneril's conflicted spouse the Duke of Albany.

Stage and screen veteran George McDaniel (Broadway/Actors Theatre of Louisville/La Jolla Playhouse) is the long-suffering and confused Earl of Gloucester. New to Rubicon, Jason McBeth (Kingsman Shakespeare) plays Gloucester's legitimate son Edgar. Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper (Lonesome Traveler) returns to Rubicon after two back-to-back roles at South Coast Rep (Once and Shakespeare in Love), playing Gloucester's bastard son Edmund.

Ensemble members include Leah Dalrymple, Dillon Francis, Seryozha La Porte, Caleb Kneip, Zachary Macias, Sally Mueller, Tom Mueller, Trevor Wheetman and Samantha Winters.

"This versatile group of actors will play multiple roles, ranging from visiting dignitaries, to members of the king's cabinet, to soldiers, to attendants," says O'Neil.

"They also improvise the soundscape for what is happening in Lear's mind during the storm. And most importantly, they play the dispossessed and disenfranchised people who have been forgotten by the king in his self-absorbed state. They represent those to whom Lear refers when he comes to understand, too late, that he has 'ta'en too little care of this,'" continues O'Neil.

The production will be set in a "time before time" and a "time out of time," according to O'Neil, with various locales including an ancient stone circle created by Scenic and Lighting Designer Thomas S. Giamario of Giatheatrics. Some aspects of the action will take place on stone ramps in the house connected to the stage, creating an immersive experience for audience members similar to prior productions at Rubicon such as Fiddler on the Roof and Man of La Mancha.

T. Theresa Scarano designed the set dressing and props for the production. Dave Mickey serves as Sound Designer (assisted by Devon Swiger), with Trevor Wheetman as Onstage Sound Coordinator. Costumes are designed by Leanna Schwartz. Stephanie Coltrin is Dramaturge. Jon Stover is Production Coordinator. Erica Christensen is Production Stage Manager, with Dillon Francis as Assistant Stage Manager and Fight Choreographer, and Austin Jiang as Assistant Fight Choreographer.

KING LEAR is sponsored by Jordan Laby. Sponsors of Rubicon's 20th Anniversary Season are BBA, Diane and Peter Goldenring, Janet and Mark L. Goldenson, Sue and Simon Ruddick, and Barbara Meister, to whom the season is dedicated.

Low-priced previews of KING LEAR begin on Wednesday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m., continuing Thursday, March 15, at 7:00 p.m., and Friday, March 16 at 8:00 p.m. Opening night is Saturday, March 17 (St. Patrick's Day) at 7:00 p.m., followed by a party with cast, crew and local dignitaries. Performances continue Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m., Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. (a new start time this season), Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $65. Talkbacks follow Wednesday evening performances on March 14, 21 and 28. Discounts are available for students, active military, members of Actors' Equity Association, and groups of 12 or more.

Rubicon Theatre is located at 1006 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001, at the corner of Main and Laurel in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District. The box office is open to the public Noon to 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturday, 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. on Sundays during which shows are presented. Tickets are available online 24-hours-a-day at www.rubicontheatre.org. To order by phone, call 805.667.2900.

Photo Credit: Loren Haar

To post a comment, you must register and login.