Shakespeare Festival

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Festival

Walking the tree-lined courtyard of the Utah Shakespeare Festival lively music beckons you like the Pied Piper. Taking your seat in the grand Engelstad outdoor theater, the spotlight rises and Elizabethan costumed actors take to the stage. You’ve entered a time warp and a magical evening under the stars is about to begin.

 

The Utah Shakespeare Festival was founded in 1961 by a young theater professor named Fred Adams. Adams envisioned a theater festival to entertain the millions of annual visitors to the nearby national parks.

 

The Festival is one of the oldest and largest Shakespeare festivals in North America and most of the Festival’s lead actors are members of the Actors’ Equity Association and come from all over the country, including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. Famous actors that have appeared on the Festival stage include Harold Gould, Benjamin Bratt, Jeremy Irons, Bradley Whitford (NBC’s The West Wing), Matt Bomer (USA’s White Collar) and Ty Burrell (ABC’s Modern Family).

 

In 2000, the Utah Shakespeare Festival received the coveted Tony Award for America’s Outstanding Regional Theatre. The Tony Award is the most prestigious and sought-after award in live theatre—the equivalent to the Academy Award in film—and is presented by the American Theatre Wing and the League of American Theatres and Producers.. The Festival was nominated for the award by the American Theatre Critics Association.

Get fully immersed in the world of The Bard.

2022 Season

All’s Well That Ends Well

June 20 – September 8, 2022

Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre

Sweeney Todd The Deamon Barber of Fleet Street

June 21 – September 9, 2022

Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre

King Lear

June 22 – September 10, 2022

Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre

The Sound of Music

June 23 – October 8, 2022

Randall L. Jones Theatre

Trouble in Mind

June 24 – September 9, 2022

Randall L. Jones Theatre

Clue

June 25 – October 8, 2022

Randall L. Jones Theatre

The Tempest

July 12 – October 8, 2022

Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre

Thurgood

September 14 – October 8, 2022

Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre

Words Cubed

9:30 am
Play A: August 12, 13, 24, 26
Play B: August 19, 20, 25, 27

Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre

The free nightly Greenshow is a magical hour of music, dance, storytelling, juggling, snacks and food reminiscent of Merry Ol’ England held in the courtyard surrounding Engelstad Theatre. The free thirty-minute show is held just prior to the evening’s main stage theater performances June through early September. Monday through Saturday. Great for kids of all ages.

For some, Shakespeare may be a little overwhelming. Prepare by attending the play orientation just prior to play’s performance where informative talks are conducted by theatre experts. The Festival also offers free seminars each morning where you can ask the experts, meet actors and directors, share your thoughts and opinions as well as get a close-up look at props and costumes that come to life on stage. Backstage tours allow you to step behind the scenes and visit various production areas and see how all the magic comes together.

One of the most magical (and difficult) aspects of repertory theatre is the twice-a-day scene change. Lighting, scenery, props, costume, and sound technicians must hurry to change everything from the matinee show to the evening show. It is a fascinating and well-choreographed process. Through Repertory Magic, you can witness the scene change, and ask questions as it is happening!

An evening at the Utah Shakespeare Festival is not complete without splurging on a few of their freshly baked tarts!

  • Plan Your Trip

    Location

    The Utah Shakespeare Festival is part of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts on the campus of Southern Utah University, 300 W University Blvd in Cedar City.

     

    Season

    The festival season runs from June through mid October.

     

    More Info

    Utah Shakespeare Festival

    351 W. University Blvd.

    Cedar City, UT 84720

    (435) 586-7878 (Box Office)

    1(800) PLAYTIX

    www.bard.org

     

    Tickets

    Ticket prices depend upon the season and the seating section. Purchase tickets at the Ticket Office at approximately 200 W. Center St. at the Beverley Center for the Arts, by calling

     

    1(800) PLAYTIX

    (800) 752-9849

    or log onto www.bard.org

     

    Child Care

    Children under the age of six years are not admitted to the Festival Plays. Childcare for children up to the age of ten years and children with special needs is provided during all plays, but not during other Festival activities. The professionally staffed, safe, and state-licensed facility is located at 123 S 300 W, just south of the Randall L. Jones Theatre. The cost is $20 per child per play. Advanced reservations are required through the Ticket Office at (800) 752-9849.

     

In the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre

A Midsummer Night’s Dream | By William Shakespeare
It will play from June 22 to September 9.

West Side Story | Based on a Conception of Jerome Robbins | Book by Arthur Laurents | Music by Leonard Bernstein | Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
It will run from June 21 to September 8.

 

In the Randall L. Jones Theatre

Jane Austen’s Emma | Book, Music, and Lyrics by Paul Gordon | Orchestrations by Brad Haak, Paul Gordon, and Brian Allan Hobbs | Based on the Novel by Jane Austen
It will run from June 22 to October 7.

A Raisin in the Sun | By Lorraine Hansberry
It will play June 23 to September 8.

The Play That Goes Wrong | By Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields
It will run from June 30 to October 7.

 

In the Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre

Timon of Athens | By William Shakespeare
It will play from July 14 to October 7.

Coriolanus | By William Shakespeare
It will run from July 15 to October 7.

 

For additional information visit www.bard.org.

 

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