"Words, words, words."
—Hamlet
Discover a new play when playwrights spend a week at the Festival and our actors present the plays as staged readings or workshops, followed by an instructive discussion between the playwright, actors, and audience.
Words Cubed is the Utah Shakespeare Festival's new play program that seeks to nurture and develop openly submitted and commissioned-based plays by providing a professionally supported platform for readings, workshops, and fully realized productions as part of an ongoing commitment to create a diverse body of work.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Ticket Office, online, or at the door.
All shows are in the Anes Studio Theatre and begin at 9:30 a.m.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The plays in this series are written for contemporary adult audiences, and some plays may contain themes and language not appropriate for children and that some may find offensive. Check the content advisories for each new play for more information.
The 2018 Plays
GERTRUDE AND CLAUDIUS
Adapted by Mark St. Germain
From the novel by John Updike
Directed by Jim Helsinger
August 24, 25, 30, September 1
Serving as a prequel to Hamlet, Gertrude and Claudius brings a new point of view to Shakespeare’s classic tale of guilt and revenge. The infamous couple serve as the villains in Shakespeare’s work, but tell a new story in this tale of good intentions and family dysfunction. With ominous hints at the familiar story to come, Gertrude and Claudius is a play that shakes up what you thought you knew about Elsinore.
SHAKESPEARE'S WORST! A PLAY ON A PLAY
BY Mike Reiss with Nick Newlin
Directed by Quinn Mattfeld
August 29 and 31
An original and hilarious retelling of a Shakespeare classic, this new play is set in a small town theatre where a group of actors are performing The Two Gentlemen of Verona. But one of the cast members is unhappy: his career is going nowhere, he’s tired of the show, and he wants out. Penned by Mike Reiss, writer and producer for the hit comedy The Simpsons, this show promises to shine a new, and hilarious, light on Shakespeare.
Important Note: The plays in this series are written for contemporary adult audiences and may contain themes and language not appropriate for children and that some may find offensive.
MORE INFORMATION
Top photo: a rehearsal for the New American Playwright's Project.