February 13, 2025 – April 19, 2025

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Angela Iannone as King Lear

“Which of you shall we say doth love us most?”
— King Lear, Act 1, Scene 1

 

Prepare to be swept into one of Shakespeare’s most powerful tragedies, where family and power collide in a tale of betrayal, madness, and redemption.

As the aging King Lear decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, he sets off a chain of events that spirals into chaos.

What begins as a quest to secure his legacy turns into a tragic exploration of loyalty, love, and the consequences of blind ambition.

With visceral emotions and unforgettable characters, King Lear lays bare the complex ties that bind family members together—and tear them apart.

Witness Lear’s heartbreaking descent and the fateful decisions that echo across generations.

This timeless masterpiece will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever experienced the fragile balance of love and power within a family.

Run time: 2 Hours 30 Minutes

Age requirement: 7 and up. Read our full policies here.

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Content Considerations for King Lear

Shakespeare’s King Lear is a masterful exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and the resilience of the human spirit. This timeless story, though celebrated for its emotional depth and dramatic power, includes mature themes that may be intense for younger audiences. While this production is recommended for ages 7 and up, parents may want to consider the following elements before attending:

  • Complex Family Dynamics: The play delves into challenging relationships between parents and children, touching on themes of betrayal, loyalty, and reconciliation.
  • Dramatic Depictions of Violence: Some scenes include physical confrontations and injuries, portrayed to emphasize the stakes and emotional tension of the story.
  • Emotional Struggles and Madness: The characters experience profound grief, despair, and moments of mental distress, which are handled with sensitivity but may feel intense.
  • Themes of Loss and Mortality: References to and depictions of loss, including death, are woven throughout the narrative.
  • Social Inequalities: The play reflects on societal hierarchies, discrimination, and inequities that may prompt deeper conversations.
  • Scenes of War and Its Consequences: Moments depicting the aftermath of conflict and its emotional toll are present.

King Lear invites audiences to reflect on the complexities of the human experience, offering moments of heartbreak and redemption. We encourage parents to consider their child’s comfort with these elements and use discretion when deciding to attend.

STUFF THAT HAPPENS IN THE PLAY
  • The aging King Lear decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, based on who loves him most.
  • Goneril and Regan (Lear’s eldest daughters) flatter him with false praise, while Cordelia (Lear’s youngest daughter) refuses to embellish her love. Lear disowns Cordelia, banishes his loyal servant Kent for defending her, and splits the kingdom between Goneril and Regan.
  • Meanwhile, Gloucester’s illegitimate son, Edmund, schemes to overthrow his father and frame his brother Edgar as a traitor, forcing Edgar to flee in disguise.
  • Lear’s retirement quickly sours. Goneril tires of his unruly entourage and demands he dismiss his knights, prompting him to curse her and seek refuge with Regan.
  • Lear, Regan, and Goneril all convene at Gloucester’s, where Regan refuses to house even fifty of Lear’s followers.
  • Lear storms out into the night, accompanied by the Fool and Kent, now in disguise. Regan and Goneril tell Gloucester to “shut up his doors” and leave Lear to the elements.
  • Cordelia raises an army in France to rebel against Regan and Goneril and rescue Lear, but betrayal runs rampant: Edmund turns on Gloucester, who is blinded, and the sisters vie for Edmund’s favor.
  • Chaos erupts as storms, battles, and heartbreak ensue…
ANGELA IANNONE REIGNS AS KING LEAR

A Performance for the Ages Reviewers and audiences alike are raving about this production — and especially about Angela Iannone’s gripping portrayal of Lear. DC Theater Arts critic Andrew Walker White praises Iannone’s command of the role. Read all about it in our Blog.

Blake Henri as Kent is stocked in the background and Angela Iannone as King Lear stands center stage with arms wide open as Raven Lorraine as Regan Stares on in American Shakespeare Center's King Lear 2025. Photo by Alania Shefelton

Read the Blog: Angela Iannone is King Lear