Announcing the Festival's 2024 Season!
By Liz Armstrong
The Utah Shakespeare Festival is excited to announce its 2024 season, featuring seven plays from June 17 to October 5. In an effort to make it easy for loyal Festival guests to order their tickets well in advance, tickets go on sale beginning July 7, 2023. To purchase tickets, visit bard.org, call 800-PLAYTIX, or visit the Ticket Office near the Anes Studio Theatre.
“We are thrilled to announce our shows for our sixty-third season in 2024,” says Interim Managing Director Michael Bahr. “We are proud to focus on our cornerstone of Shakespeare, presenting four of his marvelous works.”
“We are also delighted to bring back a previous comedy by popular demand, and two shows new to our audiences to complete our robust season,” comments Interim Artistic Director/Director of New Play Development Derek Charles Livingston.
IN THE ENGELSTAD SHAKESPEARE THEATRE
Henry VIII
By William Shakespeare
Having first been produced in 1981, Henry VIII hasn’t hit Festival stages since 1995. Following the story of a ruthless race to power and the desire for a male heir, King Henry VIII listens to Cardinal Wolsey counsel, while honorable Duke Buckingham is convicted of treason. The play also focuses on topics of divorce and the treatment of women in a male-dominated society, as Henry leaves his wife Katharine and, in the yearning for an heir, marries Anne Boleyn.
The Winter’s Tale
By William Shakespeare
The Winter’s Tale has been produced in 1972, 1989, 1996, 2004, and most recently in 2011. Focusing on themes of betrayal, loss, and forgiveness in the setting of a family drama, Shakespeare’s romance follows King Leontes, his paranoia of his wife’s infidelity, and the consequences that follow.
The Taming of the Shrew
By William Shakespeare
The Taming of the Shrew was one of the first of Shakespeare’s plays to ever be produced here, in 1962, and was performed most recently in 2015. This is the eleventh time this Shakespeare play has been shared with Festival audiences. Full of deception and disguise, Petruchio attempts to tame the wild Katherina into being an obedient wife. Suitors attempt to win her sister Bianca’s hand in marriage, but can only do so if Katherina weds first.
IN THE RANDALL L. JONES THEATRE
Much Ado About Nothing
By William Shakespeare
Much Ado About Nothing has been produced seven times, most recently in 2016. Shakespeare’s popular comedy centers around two romantic pairings and the ways in which we can deceive each other, ourselves, and be both opposed and open to love through it all.
The 39 Steps
Adapted by Patrick Barlow
From the Novel by John Buchan
From the Movie by Alfred Hitchcock
Original Concept by Nobby Dimon and Simon Corble
Returning by popular demand, The 39 Steps was last seen at the Festival in 2010. This humorous play follows an innocent man accused of a crime who must clear his name. A fast-paced “whodunit” comedy with only four actors, the play balances both suspense and nonstop comedy, with a little splash of romance.
IN THE EILEEN AND ALLEN ANES STUDIO THEATRE
Silent Sky
by Lauren Gunderson
This is the first time the Festival has produced Silent Sky. Following astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, this play explores what a women’s place in society was during a time of scientific discoveries in the 19th century. Including themes of gender equality and work/life balance, this play is one for the times – even though it takes place over one hundred years ago.
The Mountaintop
By Katori Hall
The Mountaintop has never before seen Festival stages. Following Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., audience members watch as he is forced to confront both his mortality, and the future of his people. Although fictional, the play shows themes of being a figurehead versus a private human.
For details or to order, visit our website at bard.org or call the ticket office at 800-PLAYTIX.
