There are folks that call Shakespeare’s “King Lear:” his greatest work; some folks call it the darkest, most compelling tragedy ever written. D. A. Ward’s contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic saga of pride and greed has been cast at Harrison School for the Arts. This biting tale renamed “Lear Inc.” is set amid the sleek, high-tech world of a military defense contractor’s corrupt corporate family clan. “Lear, Inc.” unveils a workplace of treachery, lust, fraud, avarice, and . . . murder!
Vice Principal for Harrison School for the Arts Daryl Ward and author of this contemporary adaptation said, “Shakespeare’s work is meant to be acted, so you need to see it played out in front of you,” “In ‘Lear, Inc.’ I tried to consciously create scenes that work on a physical level, but also on a mental and emotional level – you have to experience the work as if you are a part of it.”
“President Obama said ‘…know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you can destroy.’ The members of Malcolm Lear’s corporation learn this too late or not at all,” states Ilene Fins, director. “Enlightenment through entertainment has been my guiding artistic principle for the last 25 years. I feel truly blessed with the creative talent that is bringing this piece to life.”
With this being said by the creator of this adaption and the Dean of Theater for Harrison, you certainly will be astonished and mesmerized by the performances of these fine theater students.
Meet the cast!
Brendan Troost as Lear, Britt Michael Gordon as Edmund, Lance Taylor as Edgar, Skyler Knopp as Kent, Misti Rucks as the Clerk, Sterling Chesney as Grayson, Laurel Finch as Cordelia, Joey Wells as
Al, Amanda Keen as Gabrielle, Amelia Marler as Regan, Ryan Shults as Duke, and Justin Nipper as Ozzie.
Olympia Lamar, Ruthie Ellison, Demonte Cheeks, Nicole Richard, Courtney Lang, Beth Rousseau, Brandie Perez, Baron Simmons, Anna Erdman, Chris Holseth, Aaron Acevedo, and Aaron Brannan portraying as Yes-Men.
Lear, Inc. plays Thursday, Feb. 26, Friday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Mar. 1 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Road, Lakeland, FL.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.harrisonarts.com
The Harrison Box Office will be open at 6:00 p.m. the evening of the performances. (863) 499-2939.
Check out these great photographs by Andy Glogower Photography taken during rehearsals.
Photo credit – Andy Glogower
Mark your calendar for these upcoming performances of The Harrison Fine Arts Series for 2008/09:
- Connections & Combinations, Visual Arts Exhibit & Reception, Mitchell Gallery, Feb. 27 – Mar. 27.
- Evening of Opera, Mar. 19.
- Piano Concert, Mar. 24.
- Jazz Band and Chamber Orchestra Concert, Mar. 26.
- Chamber Music Concert @ Jenkins Recital Hall, Florida Southern College, Apr. 14.
- Reflections on the Ground, Visual Arts Exhibit & Reception, Mitchell Gallery, Apr. 17 – June 4.
- Side by Side by Sondheim, Apr. 17 – Apr. 19.
- Spring Dance Concert, May 1 & 2.
- Spring Orchestra Concert, May 14.
- Spring Music Concert, May 21.
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Lakeland Florida Harrison School for the Arts presents “Lear Inc.”
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P.O. Box 92050 – Lakeland, FL 33804-2050
Telephone (863) 618-6919