King Lear by William Shakespeare
King Lear is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It depicts the gradual descent into madness of the title character, after he disposes of his kingdom by giving bequests to two of his three daughters egged on by their continual flattery, bringing tragic consequences for all. Derived from the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological pre-Roman Celtic king, the play has been widely adapted for the stage and motion pictures, with the title role coveted by many of the world’s most accomplished actors.
The first attribution to Shakespeare of this play, originally drafted in 1605 or 1606 at the latest with its first known performance on St. Stephen’s Day in 1606, was a 1608 publication in a quarto of uncertain provenance, in which the play is listed as a history; it may be an early draft or simply reflect the first performance text. The Tragedy of King Lear, a more theatrical revision, was included in the 1623 First Folio. Modern editors usually conflate the two, though some insist that each version has its own individual integrity that should be preserved.
Leading an outstanding company, double Academy Award-winning legend Glenda Jackson returns to the stage to play King Lear, a quarter of a century after she gave up acting for politics. Written during a period of great social upheaval, Shakespeare’s brutal masterpiece is arguably the greatest tragedy ever written. The fatal consequences of a foolish decision are explored in haunting poetry to create one of the most moving works in the English language.
King Lear
Cort Theatre Broadway
First Preview 28, Feb 2019
Opening Night 04, Apr 2019
Closing 06/09/2019
Cast
Glenda Jackson – King Lear of Britain
Jayne Houdyshell – Earl of Gloucester
Elizabeth Marvel – Goneril / Lear’s Daughter
Aisling O’Sullivan – Broadway Debut – Regan / Lear’s Daughter
Pedro Pascal – Broadway Debut – Edmund / Gloucester’s Bastard Son
John Douglas Thompson – Earl of Kent
Ruth Wilson – Cordelia / Lear’s Daughter / Fool
Sean Carvajal – Broadway Debut – Edgar / Gloucester’s Son
Russell Harvard – Duke of Cornwall
Dion Johnstone – Broadway Debut – Duke of Albany
Matthew Maher – Broadway Debut – Oswald / Goneril’s Steward
Creative
Produced by Scott Rudin
Written by William Shakespeare
Original Score Composed by: Philip Glass
Directed by Sam Gold
Scenic Design by Miriam Buether
Costume Design by Ann Roth
Lighting Design by Jane Cox
Sound Design by Scott Lehrer
General Manager: Joey Parnes Productions
Cort Theatre
The Cort Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 138 West 48th Street in the Theater District of midtown Manhattan in New York City. It is owned by the Shubert Organization, the largest owner of Broadway theatres.The Cort Theatre opened on December 20, 1912 with Laurette Taylor starring in the play Peg o’ My Heart, which ran for 603 performances, an auspicious start for the new venue.The Cort Theatre was designated a New York City landmark on November 17, 1987.
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| Address |
| 138 W 48th St (between Avenue Of The Americas & 7th Ave) New York, NY 10036 |
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| Transport |
| Subway: N, Q, R, 42nd St S, 1, 2, 3, 7 to 42nd St–Times Sq; N, Q, R to 49th St; 1 to 50th St |
| Phone |
| (212) 239-6200 |
| Box Office |
| Monday – Saturday 10am-8pm Sun Closed (Phone) |
| Access Information |
| Theatre is not completely wheelchair accessible. There are no steps into the theatre. |
| Seating is accessible to all parts of the Orchestra without steps. |
| No wheelchair accessible. Restrooms located down 1 flight of 19 steps. If you need wheelchair accessible restrooms you can use the ones in the Renaissance Hotel mezzanine level (7th Avenue and 48th Street). |
