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The Winter's Tale

By William Shakespeare
Directed by Tamilla Woodard

purple silhouettes of a man and a bear

Booking and details

This event has passed.

Dates Sun, Nov 5 – Sun, Dec 17, 2023

Duration 2 hours 30 minutes; with a 15-minute intermission

With the magic and fantastical elements of a fairy tale, Shakespeare’s astonishing romance is a thrilling journey filled with emotional depth, extreme behavior, complex relationships—and a bear in pursuit.

A tribute to the magic of storytelling, The Winter’s Tale presents a rich tapestry of love, strife, hope, human folly, and resurrection.


What makes The Winter’s Tale so compelling? Folger Director Michael Witmore shares spoiler-free insights about his favorite Shakespeare play in three short videos. Watch

Please note: This production includes the use of airborne haze and strobe lighting. The Winter’s Tale contains violence and adult themes.

Cast

Richard Bradford

Mamillius and Time

Richard Bradford

Antoinette Crowe-Legacy

Hermione

Antoinette Crowe-Legacy

Nicholas Gerwitz

Shepherd's Son

Nicholas Gerwitz

Drew Kopas

Polixenes

Drew Kopas

Stephen Patrick Martin

Antigonus and Shepherd

Stephen Patrick Martin

Cody Nickell

Camillo

Cody Nickell

Kate Eastwood Norris

Paulina

Kate Eastwood Norris

Jonathan Del Palmer

Florizel

Jonathan Del Palmer

Clarence Michael Payne

Mamillius and Time

Clarence Michael Payne

Reza Salazar

Autolycus

Reza Salazar

Sabrina Lynne Sawyer

Ensemble

Sabrina Lynne Sawyer

Hadi Tabbal

Leontes

Hadi Tabbal

Kayleandra White

Perdita

Kayleandra White

Ronald Benson-El, Jr

u/s Polixenes

Ronald Benson-El, Jr

Jordan Brown

u/s Autolycus and Florizel

Jordan Brown

Eric Hissom
Eric Hissom

u/s Camillo, Shepherd, and Antigonus

Eric Hissom

Connor Padilla

u/s Shepherd’s Son and Autolycus

Connor Padilla

Naima Randolph

u/s Perdita and Ensemble

Naima Randolph

Creative team

Tamilla Woodard

Director

Tamilla Woodard

Raul Abrego, Jr.

Scenic Designer

Raul Abrego, Jr.

Sarah Cubbage

Costume Designer

Sarah Cubbage

Chelsea Dean

Properties Designer

Chelsea Dean

Max Doolittle

Lighting Designer

Max Doolittle

Matthew M. Nielson

Sound Designer/Composer

Matthew M. Nielson

Kaja Dunn

Resident Intimacy and Cultural Consultant

Kaja Dunn

Joya Powell

Choreographer

Joya Powell

Heidi Griffiths

New York Casting Director

Heidi Griffiths

LaShawn Melton

Hair and Wig Design

LaShawn Melton

Kate Murray

New York Casting Director

Kate Murray

Lisa Nathans

Vocal Coach

Lisa Nathans

Michele Osherow

Resident Dramaturg

Michele Osherow

Leigh Robinette

Production Stage Manager

Leigh Robinette

Taylor Kiechlin

Production Stage Manager

Taylor Kiechlin

Kacie Pimentel

Assistant Stage Manager

Kacie Pimentel

Shana Laski

Assistant Director

Shana Laski

Tara-Whitney Rison

Assistant to the Director

Tara-Whitney Rison

Folger Theatre Sponsors

With special thanks to

The Share Fund

Premier Season Sponsor

Dr. Bill and Evelyn Braithwaite

Season Sponsor

Helen and David Kenney & Family
Andrea “Andi” Kasarsky

Production Sponsor

Nancy and Steve Howard (Romeo and Juliet)

Contributing Sponsor

Celia and Keith Arnaud
Gail Kern Paster

Associate Sponsor

Timothy J. Carlton (Romeo and Juliet)
Wes and Sly Hallman
Peter and Mary Pennington
Rick Kasten (Romeo and Juliet)

Artist Sponsor

Karl K. and Carrol Benner Kindel

Accessibility

Folger Theatre provides accessible seating, assisted listening devices, and ASL interpretation. Please contact us at VisitorServices@folger.edu or (202) 544–7077 with questions or requests. More information

Open-captioned performances

  • Sun, Dec 3, 2023, at 2pm and 7:30pm

Open-captioning makes live theater performances accessible by using a non-intrusive caption board at the front of the stage which scrolls the entire text of the production in real time. For information about the best seat locations from which to see the caption board, contact us at VisitorServices@folger.edu  or (202) 544–7077.

Relaxed performances

  • Sun, Nov 5, 2023, at 7:30pm
  • Wed, Nov 29, 2023, at 2pm

Relaxed performances are designed to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for audiences with autism, sensory sensitivities, social, learning, and cognitive disabilities.

Masked performances

  • Sat, Dec 2, 2023, at 2pm and 8pm

At the request of many audience members, Folger Theatre has denoted several performances during the 2023|24 season as mask-required by all audience members, staff, and volunteers. If you need a mask, we are happy to provide one to you. Learn more

Special performances

Pay what you will

  • Mon, Nov 6, 2023, at 7:30pm

The concept is simple: you tell us what you will pay for your ticket! Sales begin 5pm day-of at the door and are available on a first come, first served basis.

We offer a variety of standard discounts for all performances. Learn more

Post show discussion

  • Thu, Nov 30, 2023, at 7:30pm

Join us after the show for a free moderated conversation with the cast.

Related events

Features & Interviews

DC Theater Arts (October 22, 2023)
Actors Hadi Tabbal (Leontes) and Antoinette Crowe-Legacy (Hermione) discuss the production and their work with writer Chad Kinsman.

WTOP Radio (November 3, 2023)
Entertainment reporter Jason Fraley interviews cast members Kate Eastwood Norris (Paulina) and Cody Nickell (Camillo).

WAMU Radio (November 3, 2023)
Interview with Karen Ann Daniels, Artistic Director of Folger Theatre, on “Get Out There” program.

The Hill Rag (November 10, 2023)
Interview with director Tamilla Woodard in Matthew McClure’s “The Fourth Wall” theater column, discussing Shakespeare’s play.

MD Theatre Guide (November 11, 2023)
“Quick 5” interviews with actors Richard Bradford and Clarence Michael Payne, who both play the roles of Mamillius and Time.

Washington Post (November 17, 2023)
Feature story in the Post‘s ‘Weekend’ section on The Winter’s Tale and opening Folger’s homecoming season.

WBJC Radio (November 15, 2023)
Judith Krummeck interviews actor Hadi Tabbal (Leontes) on her radio program.

REVIEWS

“Outstanding”Washington Post

“Told anew with warmth and wit”Washington City Paper

“An invigorating romp…fully engaging”MD Theatre Guide

“Charming…a touch of magic”The Free Lance-Star

“Reminds audiences of everything that is unique and significant about attending a show at the Folger”BroadwayWorld

“Exuberant…celebration resounds”Metro Weekly

“A triumphant return to the Folger”Alexandria Times

“A warm-hearted and loving production”Talkin’ Broadway

“Delightfully raucous…a treat for the soul and the funny bone!”The Zebra Newspaper

“Beautifully staged…a party from beginning to end”LA Theatrix

This event is part of the Shakespeare Everywhere Festival, Oct 7 – Dec 31, 2023. The Folger joins artistic and cultural institutions across the District to produce 12 Shakespeare shows in 12 weeks.

This event has passed.