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Best for Winter, being a short Shakespeare Adapted from The Winter's Tale and other works


The ensemble of Idle Muse Theatre Company explores this classical fantasy with an impossible ending. Shakespeare’s story of human beings living in a world broken by the unforgivable acts of a man in power is the basis for this new adaptation focused on feelings and actions and as recognizable in 2019 as they were in the Bard’s time.

When forgiveness is impossible, can something else be found to take it’s place? Maybe something more important - something like hope?

“A simple, elegant Shakespeare adaptation”
-
Jack Helbig, Chicago Reader

“Director Evan Jackson impressively adapts works by William Shakespeare, including The Winter’s Tale, into one epic tale. His storytelling is bursting with signature Shake; a mad king, a shipwreck, mistaken identities, star-crossed lovers. Jackson engages with an almost overwhelming 16 characters. Over time, his multiple storylines are weaved together  in a satisfying circle of jealousy, betrayal, forgiveness, redemption."
- Katy Walsh, The Fourth Walsh

“…a theatrical treasure.”
- Catherine Hellmann, ChiIL Mama

”Magical…that’s the word - magical…”
-
Audience Member, Best for Winter

March 23 - April 20
$10 Previews 3/21/2019 & 3/22/2019

The Edge Theater Off-Broadway | 1133 W. Catalpa, Chicago, IL 60640
8pm Thursdays-Saturdays, 3pm Sundays
Special Wednesday night performance 8pm, 3/27/2019

Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes with a 10 minute intermission

Tickets available at the Idle Muse Box Office or by phone at 773.340.9438

Supported by The MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation

FEATURING:
Kristen Alesia as Perdita
Brian Bengtson* as Leontes
Michael Dalberg* as Autolycus
Eric Duhon as Shepherd
Brian Healy as Florizel
Paula Hlava as Mamillias
Mara Kovacevic* as Hermione
Elizabeth MacDougald* as Paulina
Laura Jones Macknin* as Camilla
Morgan Manasa as Time
Sara Robinson* as Antigonis
Erik Schnitger as Polixenes
Watson Swift as Cleomenes
Joel Thompson* as Clown
Toma Lynn Smith as Emilia
Lauren Grace Thompson as Understudy (Perdita/Cleomenes)

PRODUCTION:
Evan Jackson*, director
Heather Zink, calling stage manager
Shellie DiSalvo*, production manager and rehearsal stage manager
Laura Wiley*, Technical director, lighting design and projection design
Milo Bue, scenic design
Joshua Allard, costume design
Tristan Brandon*, dramaturgy and prop design
L. J. Luthringer, sound and music design
William Sidney Parker*, consultant
Kati Lechner, vocal coach
Sarah Scanlon, intimacy design.