Performances begin February 28 for the new Broadway production of William Shakespeare's King Lear, starring two-time Academy Award winner, two-time Emmy Award winner, and 2018 Tony Award winner Glenda Jackson in the title role. The Sam Gold-helmed production, with an original score by Philip Glass, is playing a limited engagement in the Cort Theatre that will officially open April 4.
Rounding out the principal cast of King Lear are Tony Award winner Jayne Houdyshell as Earl of Gloucester, three-time Obie Award winner Elizabeth Marvel as Goneril, Aisling O’Sullivan as Regan, Pedro Pascal as Edmund, Tony Award nominee and two-time Drama Desk Award winner John Douglas Thompson as Earl of Kent, and two-time Olivier Award winner and Golden Globe winner Ruth Wilson as Cordelia/Fool.
They are joined by Russell Harvard as Duke of Cornwall, Michael Arden as the Aide to Cornwall, Sean Carvajal as Edgar, Ian Lassiter as the King of France, Justin Cunningham as the Duke of Burgundy, Dion Johnstone as Duke of Albany, and Matthew Maher as Oswald. Rounding out the company are Che Ayende, Therese Barbato, Stephanie Roth Haberle, Daniel Marmion, and John McGinty.
In Shakespeare's royal-family tragedy, the aging King Lear divides his estate between his three daughters, ultimately refusing his youngest and favorite her share because she won't publicly admit her love for him. The decision leads to chaos and treachery within the kingdom and madness for its monarch.
Produced by Scott Rudin, this all-new King Lear features scenic design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Jane Cox, and sound design by Scott Lehrer. Performances are scheduled through July 7.
Gold is the Tony-winning director of A Doll’s House, Part 2 and Fun Home. Among other productions, he was behind the critically-acclaimed Off-Broadway stagings of Othello and Hamlet in 2016 and 2017, respectively.