The Department of Theatre at Hope College will present William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale,” on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 14-16, and Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 20-22, in the studio theatre of the DeWitt Student and Cultural Center.
The performances on Oct. 14, 15, and 20-22 will begin at 7:30 p.m. The performance on Sunday, Oct. 16, will be a free matinee beginning at 2 p.m.
Directed by Daina Robins of the theatre faculty, “The Winter’s Tale” centers around King Leontes of Sicilia and his unfounded accusation that Hermione, the queen, has been unfaithful with Leontes’ friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia. Following Hermione’s purported death, Leontes’ unknown daughter, Perdita, is secreted to the Bohemian countryside, where she is raised by shepherds and falls in love with Florizel, the disguised prince of Bohemia and son of Polixenes. All is ultimately revealed as friends reconcile, fortunes are made and lost love is found again.
“The Winter’s Tale” is arguably difficult to categorize among Shakespeare’s plays. While most of The Bard’s plays fit neatly into the fields of comedy, tragedy and history, “The Winter’s Tale” is a more nuanced piece. Initially, with its enraged king, accusations of unfaithfulness and unfortunate ursine-caused deaths, it would appear to be a tragedy. But as the plot turns to romance, courtship and mistaken identities, it seems better described as a comedy.
In addition to Robins, the college’s production team includes guest artist scenic designer Keith Pitts; professor Michelle Bombe, chair of the department, as costume designer; Eric Van Tassell, assistant professor of theatre, as lighting designer; Ken Chamberlain, assistant director of production for dance and theatre, as sound designer; and staff members Stephen Krebs and Anna Hill as technical director and costume shop manager, respectively.
Also serving on the production team are junior Lydia Konings of Fountain Valley, California, as stage manager; and freshmen Audrey Kunce of Carmel, Indiana, and Eliana Cocking of Novi as assistant stage managers.
The cast includes senior Adam Chamness of Holland; juniors Eden Comer of Farmington Hills, Rachel Scott of Clarkston and Kelsey Sivertson of Holland; sophomores Ashley Lauraine of Holland, Danai Mandebvu of Harare, Zimbabwe, and Rey Tello of Mt. Prospect, Illinois; and freshmen Ella Harris of Bloomfield Hills, Elliana Johnson of East Lansing, Theo King of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Elayna Mockbil of Howell, Shane Sygiel of White Lake, Meg Voetberg of Grand Rapids and Sofia Wake of Washington, Illinois.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and in accordance with current theatre industry standards, audience members will be required to wear masks while the performers will be unmasked.
Tickets are $10 for regular admission; $7 for senior citizens and Hope faculty and staff; and free for Hope College students and students ages 18 and under. Tickets are available at the Events and Conferences Office located in downtown Holland in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center (100 E. Eighth St.). The ticket office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at 616-395-7890. Tickets may be purchased by calling or visiting the ticket office, online at hope.edu/tickets, or in person at the performance.
The DeWitt Student and Cultural Center is located at 141 E. 12th St., facing Columbia Avenue between 10th and 13th streets. The studio theatre is located on the lowest level near the building’s southeast corner, and seating is limited.
Audience members who need assistance to fully enjoy any event at Hope are encouraged to contact the college’s Events and Conferences Office by emailing events@hope.edu or calling 616-395-7222 on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Updates related to events are posted when available in the individual listings at hope.edu/calendar