The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC, begins its 2002-03 season with The Winter's Tale, Shakespeare's late-career romance about passion, jealousy, loss and redemption, opening Sept. 3 following previews that began Aug. 27.

Michael Kahn, who staged the work in his first season as artistic director of The Shakespeare, helms a cast that includes Helen Hayes Award-winner Philip Goodwin as Leontes, Tana Hicken as Paulina, Lise Bruneau as Hermione and Brent Harris as Polixenes.

The yarn covers 16 years and bounces between the kingdoms of Sicilia, where King Leontes detroys his own royal family and court in a fit of irrational jealousy, and far off Bohemia, where his banished-to-death infant daughter ends up being adopted by an Old Shepherd following a classic plot turn that includes a killer bear.

Performances continue to Oct. 20. The cast also includes Emery Battis, Ralph Cosham, Michelle Shupe, Skye Rios, Jeremiah Wiggins, Patrick Shea, Mireille Enos, Donald Corren, David Sabin, Amanda Whiting, Edwina Findley, Helmar Augustus Cooper, Rahmein Mostafavi, Ashley Strand is Archidamus, A-men Rasheed, John Lescault and Stephen Patrick Martin.

Designers are Walt Spangler (set), Catherine Zuber (costumes) and Howell Binkley (lighting). Composer Adam Wernick contributes music to the production. Karma Camp is choreographer. Tickets range $16-$66. The Shakespeare Theatre is at 450 7th Street NW, between D and E Streets, just off Pennsylvania Avenue, between the Capitol and the White House.

For information, call (202) 547-1122 or visit shakespearetheatre.org.

— By Kenneth Jones