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King Lear
August 14, 2024 - August 25, 2024
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by James Jennings
King Lear begins as the Earl of Gloucester introduces his illegitimate son, Edmund, to the Earl of Kent. Lear, King of Britain, enters with his court. Now that he is an old man, Lear has decided to divide his kingdom between his three daughters. The division will depend on the quality of each princess’ declarations of love for her father before the court. Goneril, Duchess of Albany, and Regan, Duchess of Cornwall, both speak enthusiastically and earn their father’s praise. But Cordelia, the youngest, says nothing because she cannot voice her deep love for Lear. Misunderstanding his daughter, Lear disowns and banishes her from the kingdom. He also banishes the Earl of Kent, who had taken Cordelia’s side against the King.
Despairing for his daughters, and deeply regretting rejecting Cordelia, Lear goes mad at the height of a great storm. He and the Fool run wild on the heath until Gloucester takes them into a hut for shelter. He then seeks the aid of Kent to get them away to the coast, where Cordelia has landed with a French army to fight for her father against her sisters and their husbands.
In this family drama, greed is a driving force and remorse comes too late.
Cast:
Alan Hasnas, Jonathan Beebe, Travis Bergmann, Amber Brookes, Jane Culley, Oliver Figueroa, Richard Fisher, Sam Cruz, Sam Hardy, Jake Minter, Quinn Nguyen, Phil Oetiker, Jonathan, Gregory Power, Jake Smith
August 2024
INTERVIEW WITH ACTOR ALAN HASNAS
On the latest Whisper in the Wings from Stage Whisper, we sat down with actor Alan Hasnas who is playing the title role in the latest production of King Lear. This was such a great conversation about this epic Shakespearean drama, as well a fun conversation with this fantastic artist. So make sure you tune in and turn up for this production!
And be sure to follow Alan to stay up to date on all his upcoming projects and productions at www.alanhasnas.com
Commentary by NYC writer/musician, JIM CATAPANO
A Powerhouse King Lear Graces the American Theater of Actors
Under the excellent direction of James Jennings, King Lear is reborn for the modern stage in a gripping production at the ATA.
Proceedings begin innocuously enough when the aging Lear (Alan Hasnas) decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters. An unfortunate moment of overwhelmed speechlessness from one of them leads to disaster. From there the intensity builds and builds throughout the 3-plus hour story. It’s a tale of the human price of greed, an unfolding domino effect that leads to heartbreaking tragedy for all involved.
Jennings has assembled a formidable roster of seasoned actors to breathe exciting new life into the classic Shakespearean drama. Alan Hasnas delivers a masterclass as the doomed Lear; his descent into madness is horrifying, but from a theatrical standpoint, also exhilarating. Jake Minter is an intense and magnetic Edmund, while Quinn Nguyen provides elegance and poignancy to the tragic Cordelia. Amber Brookes, sipping from a fancy goblet and resplendent in sparkly gowns of gold and later silky green, is delightfully serpentlike as Regan. Shakespearean stalwart Jane Culley matches her duplicity as the icy Goneril; her command of the material is majestic. Jake Smith is energetic and suitably mood-lifting as the Fool, cartwheeling across the stage and breaking into song at every opportunity. Travis Bergmann is a stoic, steady presence as the Earl of Kent. Phil Oeitiker is astonishing as the Earl of Gloucester, the subject of a violent but well-staged blinding at the hands of people of true darkness. And Sam Hardy is a revelation as the feral Edgar, dominating the stage and delivering every syllable with skill and relish. The cast as a whole is a joy to spend time with even as they depict a kingdom descending into darkness.
The John Cullum Stage at the ATA is a perfect complement to proceedings, the large dark space of multilevels and staircases well utilized throughout the production. A backdrop of moving projections adds tremendous atmosphere—the brutal lightning storm that the quickly deteriorating Lear loses himself in; the crackling fireplace in the hovel; a symbolic eclipse as Gloucester is tortured. The fight sequences, all clanking swords and daggers, are intense and beautifully realized. It all makes for a memorable experience of thespians at the top of their game, expertly handling the most difficult and legendary of texts.