The Theatre School @ North Coast Rep presents a show with heartbreaking tragedy rescued by lovestruck buffoonery in this tragicomedy by William Shakespeare’s "The Winter’s Tale" as its next student production. As the wise-beyond-his-years 7-year-old Mamillius says, “A sad tale’s best for winter.” But fortunately for us, the story doesn’t end there. We begin with a tale of suspicion, jealousy, tyranny, and suffering. And that only gets us half-way through. After a ghost names an abandoned baby, a storm devours a ship full of mariners, and a bear dines on a gentleman’s flesh, we transition into a new season. It is in middle summer that we visit a different kingdom 16 years later to find the baby grown up to be the queen of the harvest festival, in love with the impetuous prince, surrounded by clowns and singing thieves, and on a course to reconcile two kings as a statue comes to life with celebrations of forgiveness. Director Benjamin Cole is moved to share this production of jealousy, strength, sacrifice, and love as our 11th annual outdoor touring summer student Shakespeare production. “We’re thrilled to continue the tradition of offering free Shakespeare performances to the cities of Solana Beach, Del Mar, and Encinitas,” Cole beams. “Some of our top students are featured in Shakespeare shows, and we’re proud to explore more challenging titles they might not have the opportunity to explore anywhere else,” he boasts. The show runs a daring 90 minutes with no intermission and aims to touch audiences’ heartstrings throughout. Additional production staff includes: Stage Manager, Benedict Heaps; Assistant Stage Manager, Liah Leon; Bear Puppetry Design, Bugz Baltzer; Intern Assistant Director, Kaia Podd; and Assistant Director Steve Smith. The Theatre School @ North Coast Rep proudly delivers high-quality theatre instruction and eight student theatre productions throughout the year, offering accessible and fun training for various age groups. Check out all the upcoming options on the Theatre School website: www.northcoastreptheatreschool.org. Featured in the cast are (Gabriel Bergseid, Carlsbad; Bex Balsdon, La Jolla; Kai Bunyak, Cardiff; Landon Friis, Carlsbad; Charlotte Larson, Carlsbad; Ryan Mattes, Torrey Highlands; Alice Price, Carlsbad; Isabella Podesta, Carlsbad; Nicole Sample, Encinitas; Harper Smith, Encinitas; Roman Sooben, Carmel Valley; Phoebe Thomas, San Marcos; and Jackson Young, Carlsbad.) Performances are July 16 through 18 at Olivenhain Meeting House: 423 Rancho Santa Fe Rd., Encinitas, CA 92024; July 23 through 25 at the Birdwing Open Air Classroom: 3201 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014 (use entrance off San Adres Dr.); July 30 & 31 at La Colonia Park: 715 Valley Ave., Solana Beach, CA 92075; and August 1 at the Theatre School Studio Space: 985 Lomas Santa Fe Dr., Suite D, with all show times at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free at all venues. No advance reservations are needed for any performances. Audiences are encouraged to bring their own outdoor seating and blankets. The Theatre School @ NCRT on Facebook / Instagram
