STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
If the heat’s got you beat, chill out tonight with “The Winter’s Tale.”
The Spot and nexStage Theatre have combined forces to present Shakespeare’s romantic comedy full of love, loss, mistaken identity, romance and—in this case—redemption.
The play is the opposite of such Shakespeare plays like “Romeo and Juliet,” which start on a funny note and end tragically.
In this case, the play starts off on a sour note as Sicilian King Leontes refuses to believe his wife Queen Hermione is having an affair, despite all evidence to the contrary.
He descends into madness, drunk with a poison of his own making. And he loses out for 16 years as winter descends on his relationship with his wife and the baby daughter born during this winter, as a result.
But, happily, he comes to see the error of his ways and his family is reunited in a fairy-tale-like climax.
Peter Burke plays King Leontes and Kevin Wade, his best friend accused of having an affair with his wife. Natalie Battistone plays Queen Hermione and Patsy Wygle her loyal friend.
Tim Blount plays Lord Antigonus; Justin Ness, Camillo, and Yanna Lantz, a divine oracle. Brett Moellenberg plays a priest and clown. And young Kagen Albright plays the prince who falls in love with Leontes’ daughter, though he believes her to be a shepherd’s daughter. That daughter is played by Annabelle Lewis. Others are Megan Mahoney, Will Lamoureaux and Cooper Salvoni.
The play starts at 7 p.m. at Ketchum’s Forest Service Park at First and Washington streets. Bring lawn chair and picnic, if you like.
Tickets are $10 and $20, available at www.spotsunvalley.com. The play is suitable for all ages.