Dance of Death's David Strathairn and A Thousand Clowns's Barbara Garrick star as the jealous, hot-blooded King Leontes and his wronged queen, Hermione, in the yarn about two kingdoms, the destructive power of jealousy and the healing power of time.
Performances continue to Feb. 23. The cast is directed by CSC artistic director Barry Edelstein (The Underpants).
A late Shakespearean tragicomedy (some call it a "romance"), The Winter's Tale mixes laughs and pathos into the story of the jealous King of Sicily, Leontes, who believes his pregnant wife has been the lover of his best friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia. As his wife dies and his court crumbles, his infant daughter, Perdita, is spirited to Bohemia, where she grows up a shepherdess and falls in love with the King's son, Florizel.
Also in the cast are Teagle F. Bougere (Autolycus), Tom Bloom (Antigonus/Old Shepherd), David Costabile (Clown), Angel Desai (Emilia/Dorcas), Mark H. Dold (Cleomenes), Gene Farber (Florizel), Michel Gill (Polixenes), Andrew Guilarte (Dion), Larry Paulsen (Camillo), Elizabeth Reaser (Perdita), Michael Reid (Mamillius), Mary Lou Rosato (Paulina), Elizabeth Sherman (Mopsa) and Joaquin Torres (Jailer).
Contemporary classical composer Michael Torke ("Central Park Trilogy" with A.R. Gurney) composed original music for the production. The text used in this production is based primarily on the Oxford World's Classics Edition, 1996, Stephen Orgel, editor. Approximately 450 lines have been cut.
Designers are Narelle Sissons (set), Mattie Ullrich (costume), Jane Cox (lighting) and Elizabeth Rhodes (sound).
Single tickets are $35-$50 with a half price discount for CSC members. Membership costs $30. Classic Stage Company is located at 136 East 13th St. and on the web at http://www.classicstage.com.