All Seven Productions Now Open at the Utah Shakespeare Festival

Elijah Alexander (left) as Timon, Nell Geisslinger as Apemantus, Gabrielle Francine Smith as A Jeweler, and Christopher Centinaro as A Merchant in Timon of Athens. Photo by Karl Hugh.

The Utah Shakespeare Festival is thrilled to announce that all seven main stage productions, plus three Greenshows, are now open for the 2023 season.

This season, believe in the power of theatre and don’t miss out on an enchanting and thought-provoking lineup of productions, running until October 7.

What’s On

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is Shakespeare’s popular tale of fairies, dreams, and changes of heart. Created in a combination of worlds very different than anything seen on our stages before, this popular comedy features Corey Jones as Theseus/Oberon, Cassandra Bissell as Hippolyta/Titania, and Max Gallagher as Philostrate/Puck, directed by Jessica Kubzansky.

Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most well-known tales of tragedy, focused on rash decisions, enmity, and “star-cross’d lovers," featuring Ty Fanning as Romeo and Naiya McCalla as Juliet. After playing Juliet in the Festival’s 2017 production, Betsy Mugavero returned to direct this production.

Jane Austen’s Emma The Musical, directed by Valerie Rachelle, is an enduring and charming love story featuring Allie Babich as the vivacious Emma and Rhett Guter as the straightforward Mr. George Knightley. If you know this story, but have never seen the musical version, its accessible and hummable melodies truly add a captivating dimension.

The Play That Goes Wrong is a hilarious and chaotic ill-fated play-within-a-play, featuring the earnest but amatuer efforts of the Cornley Drama Society members putting on “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” Directed by Geoffrey Kent, the cast displays comic genius, including that of Chris Mixon as Dennis, Jim Poulos as Max, Melinda Parrett as Annie, and Rhett Guter as Chris.

A Raisin in the Sun is an American theatrical masterpiece that breaks down barriers, challenges assumptions, and restores hope. It features Corey Jones as Walter Lee Younger, Kayland Jordan as Ruth Younger, Maureen Azzun as Beneatha Younger, and Monique Gaffney as Lena Younger (Mama), and was directed by Derek Charles Livingston.

Shakespeare’s rarely-done Timon of Athens explores friendship and the foibles of a materialistic society. Directed by OBIE Award-winner Lisa Peterson, who is also directing Coriolanus, the play features Elijah Alexander as Timon and Nell Geisslinger as Apemantus.

Coriolanus is one of Shakespeare’s least-produced plays, and focuses on themes of ambition, power, and weaknesses in leaders. James Ryen plays the hot-headed Coriolanus, with Jasmine Bracey as Menenius Agrippa and Darin F. Earl II as Sicinius Velutus.

These seven productions along with three fantastic nightly Greenshows, free seminars and orientations, backstage tours, and more make for the perfect summer get-away to lovely Cedar City. For more information about the plays and to purchase tickets, call 800-PLAYTIX or visit bard.org/plays.