Houston Shakespeare Festival

The Houston Shakespeare Festival returns to Miller Outdoor Theatre with performances of King Lear and Cymbeline from July 28 through Aug. 6. (Photo courtesy of Miller Outdoor Theatre)

The Houston Shakespeare Festival returns to Miller Outdoor Theatre this summer - the first live HSF since 2019, due to Covid - with performances of King Lear and Cymbeline from July 28 through Aug. 6. Produced by the University of Houston’s School of Theatre & Dance, HSF is presented annually with free performances for the Houston community. This year marks the 48th season of the festival. 

King Lear, the more serious of the two plays, presents the story of an aging King. In dividing his estate, he disowns the wrong child. Family loyalty, betrayal and madness set the stage for the grand tragedy of King Lear – the first Houston Shakespeare Festival production of this enthralling masterpiece in over 20 years. Director Stephanie Shine (As You Like It) leads a powerful ensemble in Shakespeare's magnum opus, with HSF Artistic Director Jack Young in the title role.

Cymbeline, which brings a fairytale feel to the stage, tells the tale of the hopeful princess Imogen and her banished secret husband – plus her wicked stepmother, goofball stepbrother, and powerful father, King Cymbeline. They take a grand journey through secret plots, forbidden love, mistaken identity, vile poisons and unexpected treachery. Laura Frye, who shined as Rosalind in HSF’s 2019 As You Like It, returns to Houston to take on Imogen’s adventure.

Performance Details:

• King Lear - July 28, 30, Aug 1, 3 and 5; Performance: 8:15 p.m.; Bard Talk: 7:45 p.m. 
• Cymbeline - July 29, Aug 2, 4 and 6; Performance: 8:15 p.m.; Bard Talk: 7:15 p.m. 

  
A livestream of the performances is available here.