Shakespeare Unraveled at Circle Theater Festival at The Flea Theater

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2. Shakespeare Unraveled at Circle Theater Festival

The Circle Theater Festival’s Shakespeare Unraveled segment presents an innovative and refreshing interpretation of some of Shakespeare’s most celebrated female figures. Featuring three distinct productions—The Winter’s Tale, Verona Falls, and The Weird Sisters—audiences are invited to revisit these classic narratives through new perspectives.

Shakespeare enthusiasts will find The Winter’s Tale, directed by Isabel Criado and Mira Bahgat, particularly captivating. This adaptation retains the original Shakespearean language while delving deeply into the bond between Leontes and his estranged daughter, Perdita. As they navigate their long-awaited reunion, the focus shifts to their emotional journey of reconciliation, providing a fresh take on one of Shakespeare’s later works. This approach highlights the complexities of parent-child relationships, moving beyond themes of jealousy and betrayal.

Next, Verona Falls, penned by Nadel Henville and featuring Lindsey Belisle, Connor Riordan, and Michela Murray, offers an intriguing continuation of the Romeo and Juliet saga. Set years after the tragic events in Verona, this imaginative retelling imagines Romeo’s return from exile to find Juliet now married to Paris. As political tensions escalate and past romances resurface, the characters must confront the enduring impact of their earlier choices. With its focus on old wounds and unresolved issues, Verona Falls powerfully illustrates how the past continues to shape the present.

The final offering, The Weird Sisters, written by Emma Tadmor, provides a contemporary reimagining of the witches from Macbeth. Set against the backdrop of New York City during the 1977 blackout, the story follows three sisters—Hazel, Elora, and Gemma—whose evening plans are upended by a sudden storm. Trapped in their apartment, they confront deep-seated family tensions and secrets while bizarre occurrences blur the boundaries between reality and magic. This exploration of sisterhood and grief is enhanced by sharp dialogue and a darkly comedic tone. Starring rising talents Scarlett Strasberg, Elizabeth Rowland, and Emma Parks, the performances are captivating, particularly Strasberg’s portrayal of Hazel, which showcases an intensity influenced by her recent role in Alec Baldwin and Geoffrey Horne’s Macbeth. Rowland and Parks add their own depth, infusing humor and warmth into this intricate exploration of sibling connections.

Collectively, these three productions in the Shakespeare Unraveled segment at the Circle Theater Festival offer a fresh, contemporary perspective on the Bard’s works, each uniquely highlighting Shakespeare’s female characters.