News From the Festival
Henry VIII Through the Years
This season is the Festival’s third production of Henry VIII in its 63 year history, the first being in 1974 and the most recent nearly 30 years ago, in 1995.
Enjoy these pictures from the previous two productions and purchase tickets for this year’s here.
Meet the Cast: Much Ado About Nothing
The Utah Shakespeare Festival is excited to announce the cast for this season’s production of Much Ado About Nothing.
This is the Festival’s ninth production of Much Ado About Nothing, the first being in 1965 and the most recent in 2016. It will be the first time the Shakespeare comedy will be produced in the indoor Randall L. Jones Theatre.
Director Brad Carroll notes that Shakespeare’s comedy takes us on a romantic romp, brimming with hilarity, love, and wildly wicked wordplay contrasted with darker themes of deception, loss, and revenge.
“Much Ado About Nothing is really much ado about everything and discovering, when all is said and done, what is truly most important,” Carroll said.
The lead cast is as follows:
Walter Kmiec is debuting at the Festival as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing and Duke of Norfolk in Henry VIII. Other roles include those at Orlando Shakes, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Endstation Theater Company, and more. Film credits include The New Year, and Kmiec boasts teaching credits at Stetson University and Florida State University. He received a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from Florida State University and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Rodney Lizcano is also debuting at the Festival as Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing and Gremio/Player in The Taming of the Shrew. Other roles include those at The Denver Center, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. Lizcano received a Master of Fine Arts from the National Theatre Conservatory and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Jimmy Nguyen is returning to the Festival as Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing. Previous roles at the Festival include Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Featured Performer in Gold Mountain. Other roles include those at The Kennedy Center, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Hope Repertory Theatre, and more. Nguyen received his education at Doane University and Dell’Arte School of Physical Theatre. Awards include the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region V Irene Ryan winner, National Mark Twain Award for Comic Performance, and Jane Alexander Emerging Artist Award. He is an Equity Membership Candidate.
Melinda Parrett is returning to the Festival as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing and Josephina/Widow/other in The Taming of the Shrew. Previous roles at the Festival include Annie in The Play That Goes Wrong, Mrs. White in Clue, and Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, among many others. Parrett has also performed at The Denver Center, Goodspeed Opera House, Geva Theatre, and more. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Dariana Elise Pérez is debuting at the Festival as Hero in Much Ado About Nothing and Lady in Waiting/Working Woman/Party Guest in Henry VIII. Other roles include those in Twelfth Night at Ten Thousand Things, Troilus and Cressida at Guthrie Dowling Studio, I Am Betty at History Theatre, and more. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from University of Minnesota and is an Equity Membership candidate.
Marco Antonio Vega is returning to the Festival as Don John in Much Ado About Nothing and Surrey/Servant/Executioner in Henry VIII. Previous roles at the Festival include Narrator in the Every Brilliant Thing Tour, Snout in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Paris in Romeo and Juliet, and more. Other theater credits include Puck in William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) at The Reduced Shakespeare Company. He boasts teaching credits at Utah Tech University and Southern Utah University and was a recipient of the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s Michael and Jan Finlayson Acting Award in 2017. Vega received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Utah University and a Master of Fine Arts from University of San Diego.
The supporting cast is as follows:
Ashley Aquino is returning to the Festival as Ursula in Much Ado About Nothing and Featured Performer in The Greenshow. Previous roles at the Festival include Mustardseed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Featured Performer in The Greenshow. Other roles include Lucy in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Frenchie in Cabaret, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and more at Southern Utah University. Aquino received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Southern Utah University.
Evelyn Carol Case is returning to the Festival as Verges/Attendant in Much Ado About Nothing and Brandon/Patience/other in Henry VIII. Previous roles at the Festival include Mrs. Bates/Ensemble in Jane Austen’s Emma The Musical and Prince Escalus in Romeo and Juliet. She has appeared onstage with Prague Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare Orange County, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, The Laguna Playhouse, and ten seasons as a resident artist with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
Trent Dahlin is returning to the Festival as Conrade/Candle Bearer in Much Ado About Nothing and Wolsey’s Secretary/Gardiner in Henry VIII. Previous productions at the Festival include Pericles, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Twelfth Night, among others. Other roles include Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol at Theatre Squared, Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility at Lyric Repertory Theatre, and more. Film credits include Mission Stories and American Prophet. Dahlin received his education at Southern Utah University and is an Equity Membership Candidate.
Darin F. Earl II is returning to the Festival as Soldier/Friar/First Watch in Much Ado About Nothing and Sands/Campeius/Dr. Butts in Henry VIII. Previous roles at the Festival include Claudius/Ghost of Hamlet in Shakespeare in the Schools Hamlet Tour, Painter/Varro/Soldier in Timon of Athens, Sicinius Velutus/Roman Citizen/Soldier in Coriolanus, and more. Off Broadway productions include Ye Bear and Ye Cubb at 59E59 Theatres. Other acting credits include A Midwinter’s Night Dream at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Richard II at Luna Stage, and Love’s Labour’s Lost at Scranton Shakespeare Festival. Earl II boasts film credits including Hell House Origins and 825 Forest Road and received a Bachelor of Arts from Rider University.
Blake Henri is returning to the Festival as Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing and Grumio/Player in The Taming of the Shrew and Previous roles at the Festival include Robert in last season’s The Play That Goes Wrong and Karl Lindner in A Raisin in the Sun. Other roles include those at Cleveland Playhouse, Dallas Theatre Center, and Oklahoma Shakespeare Festival to name a few. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at The University of Oklahoma.
James Carlos Lacey is debuting at the Festival as Borachio/Candle Bearer in Much Ado About Nothing and Lucentio/Player in The Taming of the Shrew. He has been in off–Broadway productions of Trapped and in roles at The Kennedy Center, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Solas Nua, and more. Film credits include Shallot, and the actor is a founding member of the Undertow Theatre Collective. Lacey received a Master of Arts from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and a Master of Fine Arts from South Texas College.
Valerie Martire is making her debut at the Festival as Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing and Bianca/Player in The Taming of the Shrew. She has been in productions of Mauritius, The Wolves, and Appropriate at Illinois Wesleyan University, where Martire also received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Awards include Best Actress in an Indie Film (Top Shorts 2023).
Patrick Vest is debuting at the Festival as Antonio in Much Ado About Nothing and Lowell in Henry VIII. Other roles include Iago in Othello at Nebraska Shakespeare, Macbeth at Shakespeare by the Sea, Major Arnold in Taking Sides at Rubicon Theatre, and many more. Vest received a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
Matthew Wangemann is returning to the Festival as Attendant/Oatcake/Candle Bearer in Much Ado About Nothing and Featured Performer in The Greenshow. Previous roles at the Festival included those in last year’s productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, and The Greenshow. Off-Broadway productions include Pinkalicious: The Musical. Other roles include those at Alliance Theatre, Pickleville Playhouse, Hale Center Theater Orem, and more. Wangemann was in multiple productions at Southern Utah University, where he also received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre.
Spencer Watson is returning to the Festival as Balthasar/Sexton/Messenger in Much Ado About Nothing and Monk/Guard/Party Guest/Anglican Priest in Henry VIII. He was in last season’s production of The Greenshow. Other roles include Betty/Edward in Cloud 9, Cinderella’s Prince/The Wolf in Into the Woods, and Whizzer in Falsettos at Southern Utah University. Watson was also Brutus in Finding the Fickle Fortune and Smee in Peter Pan at Pickleville Playhouse. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance from Southern Utah University.
Henry Woronicz is returning to the Festival as Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing and Lord Chamberlain in Henry VIII. Previous roles at the Festival include Henry V, Macbeth, Richard III, and more. He also directed As You Like It, Taming of the Shrew, Coriolanus, among others. Broadway credits include Julius Caesar. Other credits include those from American Players Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and much more. Television credits include Seinfeld, Ally McBeal, Cheers, and more, while film credits include Primary Colors, Living Out Loud, and The Good Catholic. Woronicz was the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director and Executive Producer at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. He boasts teaching credits as Head of MFA Acting, Illinois State University and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Braedon Young is returning to the Festival as Soldier/Seacole/Candle Bearer in Much Ado About Nothing and Scribe/Messenger/Party Guest in Henry VIII. Previous roles at the Festival include Abram in Romeo and Juliet, Robin Starveling in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and other roles in All’s Well That Ends Well and King Lear. Other theater credits include Georg in She Loves Me, Roger in Don’t Stop Me, Father in Paperboy, and more. Additional credits include multiple solo performances at Carnegie Hall and earning a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theater at The Manhattan School of Music.
It’s not too early to purchase tickets. The play lineup for the 63rd season includes Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, The Winter’s Tale, The Taming of the Shrew, and Much Ado About Nothing, along with the hilarious The 39 Steps, the moving Silent Sky, and the inspirational The Mountaintop.
The season runs June 17 through October 5.
Visit here for more information about the play. Catch up here on our 10 Fun Facts about Much Ado About Nothing. Don’t miss out on our study guide, where you can find a synopsis, character summaries, and several articles on the play.
The Winter's Tale Through the Years
The 2024 production is the Festival’s sixth production of the play. The Winter’s Tale was also performed here in 1972, 1989, 1996, 2004, and 2011.
Enjoy these photos from past productions and purchase tickets to the 2024 season by visiting here.
The Winter's Tale: 10 Fun Facts
A play filled with contrast, The Winter’s Tale is one of Shakespeare’s later and lesser-known plays. Balancing themes of jealousy and love, betrayal and redemption, and the opposing worlds of Sicilia and Bohemia, Director Carolyn Howarth urges audience members to not be afraid of this play.
“I realize it’s not a Romeo and Juliet, but these lesser known titles bring so much substance, and they’re such a delight,” Howarth said. “They’re so deep and thick and rich with drama and humor. It’s going to be a gorgeous show.”
Before The Winter’s Tale hits the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre stage this summer, read on to learn more and learn what makes our production of this Shakespeare play unique.
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This is the Festival’s sixth production of the play. The Winter’s Tale was also produced here in 1972, 1989, 1996, 2004, and 2011.
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Howarth is making her directorial debut at the Festival this season. “I’m so excited to be at the Festival; it’s been on my bucket list,” Howarth said.
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This Shakespeare play is close to Howarth’s heart, as it was one of the very first plays she acted in at the start of her professional career.
2024 Production Renderings: costume designs by Raven Ong. -
The play is full of contrast. Howarth notes that it’s part fairytale, part fact in that it takes place in the court of Sicilia and then the idyllic world of Bohemia. Howarth encourages audience members to look for these “fairytale moments” scattered throughout the play.
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The play has many mythological references. One is its basic structure which reflects the Greek myth of Persephone and Hades in using the cycle of winter and summer to propel the sorrow and joy. Another is the use of Apollo’s oracle to determine Hermione’s guilt.
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Speaking of Hermione, Melinda Pfundstein, who is directing Silent Sky this season, played this role in the 2011 production.
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The Winter’s Tale was one of Shakespeare’s last plays.
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The plot was based off of Pandosto, written in 1588 by Robert Greene, who was considered Shakespeare’s most successful predecessor within the realm of blank-verse romantic comedy.
2024 Production Renderings: costume designs by Raven Ong. -
The play was written in five acts. Some critics, including W.W. Lawrence, consider this a problem play because of the juxtaposition between the acts, with the first three being intensely dramatic and the last two filled with humor and a happy ending.
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The Winter’s Tale spans a timeframe of sixteen years. Howarth noted one of the challenges of directing this play is that like many of Shakespeare’s others: it’s such a big play.
It’s not too early to purchase tickets! Visit here to make your purchase and for more information about the play. Don’t miss out on our study guide, where you can find a play synopsis, character summaries, and several articles on the play.
Meet the Cast: The Taming of the Shrew
The Festival is thrilled to announce the performing company for this season’s production of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, welcoming a mix of returning and new-to-the-Festival actors.
Last season, Valerie Rachelle directed Jane Austen’s Emma The Musical. This year, she’s shifting gears to take on one of Shakespeare’s most complicated comedies.
“It’s a very different story and very different style of play [than Emma], but it’s still about being a better person, finding love, listening and changing, and following your heart,” Rachelle said.
This is the Festival’s 11th production of the play. It was first produced in 1962 and most recently in 2015.
The lead cast for 2024 is as follows:
Cassandra Bissell is returning to the Festival as Tranio/Huntsman in The Taming of the Shrew and Queen Katherine in Henry VIII. Previous roles at the Festival include Titania/Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, and Rosalind in As You Like It to name a few. She has also performed at Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, Arizona Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and many more. Bissell received a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies from the University of Chicago. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
John DiAntonio is making his Festival debut as Petruchio/Player in The Taming of the Shrew. He has recently filled the role of Artistic Director of the Utah Shakespeare Festival after serving as Producing Artistic Director at Creede Repertory Theatre for over 13 years. He has acting and directing credits from Denver Center Theatre Company, Theatreworks, New Dramatists, and more. DiAntonio received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Psychology from Case Western Reserve University and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the National Theatre Conservatory. He also boasts training in Classical Acting from the British American Drama Academy in London. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
John Harrell is returning to the Festival as Hortensio/Player in The Taming of the Shrew, Guilford/Cromwell in Henry VIII, and Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale. Previous roles at the Festival include the 2017 productions of Treasure Island, As You Like It, and Shakespeare In Love. He was also the title characters in Hamlet, Cyrano, Richard II, and more at the American Shakespeare Center. Harrell received a Bachelor of Arts in English from James Madison University. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Blake Henri is returning to the Festival as Grumio/Player in The Taming of the Shrew and Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing. Previous roles at the Festival include Robert in last season’s The Play That Goes Wrong and Karl Lindner in A Raisin in the Sun. Other roles include those at Cleveland Playhouse, Dallas Theatre Center, and Oklahoma Shakespeare Festival to name a few. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at The University of Oklahoma.
Rodney Lizcano is debuting at the Festival as Gremio/Player in The Taming of the Shrew and Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing. Other roles include those at Denver Center Theatre Company, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. Lizcano received a Master of Fine Arts from the National Theatre Conservatory and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Valerie Martire is making her debut at the Festival as Bianca/Player in The Taming of the Shrew and Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing. She has been in productions of Mauritius, The Wolves, and Appropriate at Illinois Wesleyan University, where Martire also received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She also has teaching credits at Actors Garden.
James Carlos Lacey is debuting at the Festival as Lucentio/Player in The Taming of the Shrew and Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing. He has been in off–Broadway productions of Trapped and in roles at The Kennedy Center, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Solas Nua, and more. Lacey received a Master of Arts from The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and a Master of Fine Arts from South Texas College.
Chris Mixon is returning to the Festival as Baptista Minola/Player in The Taming of the Shrew, Cardinal Wolsey in Henry VIII, and Old Shepherd/Jailer in The Winter’s Tale. Previous roles at the Festival include Dennis in The Play That Goes Wrong, Mr. Woodhouse in Jane Austen’s Emma The Musical, and Earl of Gloucester in King Lear. He’s been in the national Broadway tour of How to Succeed in Business Without Trying, world and NYC premieres at Pearl Theatre Company, and productions at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Caitlin Wise is debuting at the Festival as Kate/Lady in The Taming of the Shrew and Emilia/Shepherdess in The Winter’s Tale. She’s been in The Christians at Denver Center Performing Arts, The Importance of Being Earnest at Arvada Center, Wild Honey at Theatreworks, and more. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Brigham Young University and a Master of Fine Arts from National Theatre Conservatory. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Supporting roles are as follows:
Christopher Centinaro is returning to the Festival as Nicholas/other roles in The Taming of the Shrew, Florizel in The Winter’s Tale, and Surveyor/Capuchius/Cranmer in Henry VIII. Previous roles at the Festival include Sempronius in Timon of Athens and Adrien in Coriolanus. Centinaro has also been in Mojada at the Indiana Shakespeare Festival and has received the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award.
Alaysia Renay Duncan is making her Festival debut as Petra/other roles in The Taming of the Shrew, Anne Bullen in Henry VIII, and Perdita in The Winter’s Tale. She has also been in productions of Beautiful, The Carole King Musical at Engeman Theater, Dorian Gray at The Tank, Strange and Splendid at Chain Theatre, and more. Duncan received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Ithaca College.
Topher Embrey is returning to the Festival as Christopher Sly/Curtis in The Taming of the Shrew, King Henry in Henry VIII, and Shepherd’s Son/Officer in The Winter’s Tale. Previous roles at the Festival include Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Bobo in A Raisin in the Sun. He has been in various productions Off-Broadway with Red Bull Theater and has performed for five seasons at American Shakespeare Center, as well as Colorado Shakespeare Festival and Denver Center for the Performing Arts, to name a few. Embrey received a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts from Christopher Newport University. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Geoffrey Kent is returning to the Festival as Vincentio/other roles in The Taming of the Shrew, Buckingham/Lord Chancellor in Henry VIII, and Polixenes in The Winter’s Tale. He directed The Play That Goes Wrong last season and has been in the Festival’s productions of Treasure Island, As You Like It, Shakespeare in Love, and more. Kent received a Henry Award for Excellence in Fight Direction and teaching credits include University of Northern Colorado, University of Denver, and Asolo Conservatory. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Chloe McLeod is debuting at the Festival as Biondello/Huntsman/Server in The Taming of the Shrew, Dorcas/Lady in The Winter’s Tale, and Lady in Waiting/Working Woman/Party Guest in Henry VIII. She has performed in The Two Gentlemen of Verona at Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Anna Karenina at Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Fun Home at Miners Alley Playhouse and more. McLeod trained at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy.
Trenell Mooring is debuting at the Festival as Hostess/Phillipa/Merchant in The Taming of the Shrew, Margaret in Henry VIII, and Paulina in The Winter’s Tale. She has been Belinda in Noises Off and Beatrice in Much Ado about Nothing at Orlando Shakes, Salima in Ruined at GableStage, and more. Mooring received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Melinda Parrett is returning to the Festival as Josephina/Widow/other in The Taming of the Shrew and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. Previous roles at the Festival include Miss Bates in Jane Austen’s Emma The Musical, Mrs. White in Clue, and Elsa Schraeder in The Sound of Music, among many others. Parrett has also performed at The Denver Center, Goodspeed Opera House, Geva Theatre, and more. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
It’s not too early to purchase tickets! The play lineup for the 63rd season includes Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, The Winter’s Tale, The Taming of the Shrew, and Much Ado About Nothing, along with the hilarious The 39 Steps, the moving Silent Sky, and the inspirational The Mountaintop.
The season runs June 17 through October 5.
Don’t miss out on our study guide, where you can find a synopsis, character summaries, and several articles on the play.
Meet the Cast: The 39 Steps
The Utah Shakespeare Festival announces the cast members for this summer’s production of The 39 Steps, directed by Aaron Galligan-Stierle. A thrilling comedy that blends farce, suspense, and romance, this play is a must-see for patrons in the upcoming season.
“The 39 Steps is hilarious, but it also has this focus on a character that starts the play lost, unsure of his meaning in the world, with a lack of community and connection, who then discovers his purpose,” Galligan-Stierle said.
“That to me speaks to our world and who we are as humans, and the need for everyone to get up off the couch and have these extraordinary moments and find connection with other people in this world.”
This is the second time the Festival has produced this play. Galligan-Stierle was in the Festival’s 2010 production. Fourteen years later, he is pivoting from acting to directing the very same play.
Galligan-Stierle continues, “Having performed in the [last] production of The 39 Steps, I am honored and excited to re-imagine the show for today’s audience by focusing on four storytellers who use their boundless imagination to tell a highly theatrical story full of thrills, romance and comedy. I am incredibly excited to return to my ’theatrical home’ for this production!”
The 2024 cast is as follows:
Tom Coiner is making his debut at the Festival as Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps and Camilo in The Winter’s Tale. He has been in A Christmas Carol and Gaslight at Merrimack Repertory Theatre, The Daughter in Law at Mint Theatre Company, and God Said This at Primary Stages to name a few. Television credits include The Good Fight, Law and Order: SVU, and It’s Bruno. Coiner received an MFA from National Theatre Conservatory and a BA from Kenyon College. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Michael Doherty is returning to the Festival as Clown #1 in The 39 Steps and Antigonus/Time in The Winter’s Tale. Previous roles at the Festival include Mr. Green in Clue, Narrator in Every Brilliant Thing, Charlie Baker in The Foreigner, and more. He has also appeared Off-Broadway as Jimmy in Dublin by Lamplight and on television in Wu Tang: An American Saga. Other roles include productions at Guthrie Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Cleveland Play House, and the Denver Center. He received a BFA in Theatre Arts from the University of the Arts and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Tracie Lane is returning to the Festival as Annabella/Margaret/Pamela in The 39 Steps and Hermione in The Winter’s Tale. Previous roles at the Festival include Joan de Pucelle in Henry VI Part One and others in The Merchant of Venice; Boeing, Boeing; Measure for Measure; and Twelfth Night. Other credits include the Play On! Festival at Off-Broadway’s Classic Stage Company, The Three Musketeers at Asolo Rep, Venus in Fur at Orlando Shakes, and numerous roles at American Shakespeare Center and Houston Shakespeare Festival. She earned her MFA at The Juilliard School and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Bailey Savage is returning to Festival stages as Clown #2 in The 39 Steps and Cleomenes/Rustic in The Winter’s Tale. She was in the Festival’s Shakespeare in the Schools productions of Julius Caesar as Julius Caesar and Romeo and Juliet as Lord Capulet. Other credits include roles in Drunk Shakespeare Chicago, Twelfth Night at Midsommer Flight, and Peter and the Starcatcher at Lyric Repertory Company. Savage was Assistant Director for Guys and Dolls and A Midsummer Night’s Dream and served as Literary Seminar Manager at the Festival, and received a BIS from Southern Utah University.
Purchase your tickets now! The play lineup for the 63rd season includes Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, The Winter’s Tale, The Taming of the Shrew, and Much Ado About Nothing, along with the hilarious The 39 Steps, the moving Silent Sky, and the inspirational The Mountaintop.
The season runs June 17 through October 5.
Every Brilliant Thing Comes to a Close: The Tour in Review
The Festival is extremely proud of the inspiring production Every Brilliant Thing, which for the second year traveled all across the state of Utah, with over forty performances in schools and communities in 2024.
With the intention of “cultivating the use of proactive, life-affirming communication when you or those you love are confronted with depression,” this is one of the most critical pieces of work the Festival has ever produced, according to Director of Development and Communications Donn Jersey.
“Young people need the affirmation that they are not alone. Each and every student that will watch this production will be reminded that they are needed, they are loved, and they belong here,” Governor Spencer J. Cox said.
The tour was funded by the Utah State Legislature and recently received formal recognition for their work in collaboration with SafeUT from the legislature.
“This tour is about saving lives,” Tour Manager Jordan Simmons said.
Simmons noted that the project had five goals, the first being to create an active dialogue between all stakeholders about emotional and mental well-being in regards to depression and suicide.
Another goal was increasing awareness in Utah schools of mental health resources available for students and to find applicable ways to use these resources. The tour also strived to provide an artistic experience that enabled young people to see things from a new and positive perspective, provided opportunities for students to both practice and participate in a number of skills related to Utah Core standards, and inspired people to see the beauty in life.
The tour began January 4 and will conclude March 23, with two free public performances in Cedar City at Southern Utah University’s Auditorium Theatre. The public is invited to attend on Friday, March 22 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, March 23 at 2:00 pm. These performances are in collaboration with SUU’s Storytelling Festival, Creative Outreach Collaboratory, and SUU Health and Wellness.
The tour was directed by Britannia Howe, who will also be writing and directing this season’s Greenshow. The traveling company consisted of Tour Manager Jordan Simmons, Stage Manager Kathryn Whilden, and actors Angelique Archer and Marco Antonio Vega.
The Creative Process: Festival Reveals 2024 Show Art
The Utah Shakespeare Festival is delighted to share this season’s show art. We’ve officially pulled back the curtain to give you a sneak peek of what to expect visually from our upcoming season, so enjoy the reveal!
For Creative Director Clare Campbell, this is one of her biggest––and most rewarding––projects of the year.
However, the job isn’t without its challenges, and Campbell explained that each year requires an immense amount of collaboration and research.
The process of designing show art is a big one, and it begins with Campbell studying the scripts and attending designer meetings to gain insight about the directors’ and designers’ ideas for each play. But it’s also important to note that the art doesn’t necessarily represent each of the productions literally.
“The goal [for the show art] is for anyone to look at the graphic and get the concept and tone of the play, as well as be intrigued at the same time,” Campbell said. “We don’t want to give anything away, but still include subtle hints and Easter eggs.”
Campbell creates individual designs for each play with the entirety of the season lineup in mind.
“It’s kind of a puzzle, you’re working on one play graphic, but you have the other six or seven plays you have to match, including the Greenshow,” Campbell said. “They all have to have a cohesive look.”
After months of work, the Festival is proud and excited to share the first reveal of the Show Art and hope that it does just as Campbell hopes––to intrigue and encourage our patrons to join us for the 2024 season.
It’s not too early to purchase tickets. The play lineup for the 63rd season includes Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, The Winter’s Tale, The Taming of the Shrew, and Much Ado About Nothing, along with the hilarious The 39 Steps, the moving Silent Sky, and the inspirational The Mountaintop.
The season runs June 17 through October 5.
The Taming of the Shrew: 10 Fun Facts
One of Shakespeare’s first comedies, The Taming of the Shrew is one of his most famous—and deemed one of his most problematic—plays. Although difficult themes are discussed, Director Valerie Rachelle is approaching the play with color, fun, and comedy. Ultimately, this Festival production will use farce and slapstick comedy, and focus on how to treat others better.
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Did you know The Taming of the Shrew is actually a play-within-a-play? Although most productions don’t include the induction at the beginning that creates this metadrama, Rachelle will be including it this season.
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Rachelle is also taking the liberty to book-end the play with a more complete ending and bring the induction full-circle, as many claim this play by Shakespeare was unfinished because he left off the epilogue.
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A lot of contemporary theatres choose to not produce this play because of its difficult themes. Rachelle, however, believes it teaches an important lesson if approached correctly. “It’s showing us what not to do, rather than what to do,” Rachelle said.
2024 Production Renderings: costume designs by Kevin Alberts. -
The play was popular during Shakespeare’s time, and a response to The Taming of the Shrew was written in 1611, nearly 20 years later. John Fletcher wrote The Woman’s Prize, or The Tamer Tamed, which tells the story of Petruchio marrying again, only to find the roles reversed as his new wife takes control of their marriage. In 1633, both plays were performed for King Charles I and were well-liked.
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Unfortunately, Shakespeare gained inspiration for the play from popular folktales and ballads in England about wives being tamed by their aggressive husbands, which was a common practice in Elizabethan England.
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The playwright may have also gained inspiration from Ludovico Ariosto’s Suppositi (1509) and George Gascoigne’s Supposes (1566).
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Although not a musical, Sound Designer Lindsay Jones is creating new music for the production—a new addition that patrons familiar with the play can look forward to.
2024 Production Renderings: costume designs by Kevin Alberts. -
The play has been adapted many times. Some of the most well-known adaptations include Cole Porter’s musical Kiss Me, Kate!; McLintock!, a western starring John Wayne, and the 1967 film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
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Rachelle can do it all! Last season, she directed the immensely sweet and clever Jane Austen’s Emma The Musical in the Randall L. Jones Theatre. This season, she’s pivoting to a Shakespeare comedy and is producing in the outdoor space of the Engelstad Shakespeare Theare.
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This is the Festival’s 11th production of the play, with the first being in 1962 and the most recent prior to this season in 2015.
Remember, it’s not too early to purchase tickets! Visit bard.org for tickets and more information about the play. Don’t miss out on our study guide, where you can find a synopsis, character summaries, and several articles on the play.
The Taming of the Shrew Through the Years
This is the 11th Utah Shakespeare Festival production of The Taming of the Shrew.
Shakespeare’s play was part of the very first season in 1962, and then hit the Festival stages again in 1966, 1971, 1977, 1984, 1991, 1998, 2004, 2008, and most recently in 2015. Take a walk down memory lane and enjoy these pictures of some of our past productions!
And don’t forget to purchase tickets to our 2024 production by visiting bard.org.
