2023-24 Drama Season: Love & Identity

King Lear

Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Lucas James Nelson

Feb. 3-10, 2024

Claire Trevor Theatre

In this unique production, Cynthia Bassham, Drama Faculty and Head of Undergraduate Acting, takes on the role of King Lear.

When King Lear decides to step down from the throne, he intends to split his kingdom evenly among his three daughters in order to avoid conflict. Lear’s plan quickly goes awry when his youngest daughter, Cordelia, refuses to engage in Lear’s vain game of flattery. A power vacuum quickly ensues, as Lear banishes his two closest allies, Kent and Cordelia. While Lear contends with his oldest daughters and declining mental state, Edmund, the bastard son of Gloucester, attempts to usurp his father and half-brother, Edgar, in an attempt to legitimize his own place in the world. Emphasizing the role of Nature in the play, UCI’s production of King Lear asks: What happens when the need for power and greed is so extreme that it erodes our place in the natural world? And what will it take to bring us back into balance with nature?

Our production features a gender-neutral approach to casting, purposefully contrasted with the original pronouns of Shakespeare's text. This creative choice adds a new layer of complexity to the characters and their relationships, while also challenging traditional notions of power, authority, and family dynamics.

Approximate run time:
Act 1: 1 hour 30 minutes
15 minute intermission
Act 2: 50 minutes
Total: 2 hours 35 minutes

Recommended for ages 13+. Please note this show contains:

• Simulated thunder and lightning (flashing/strobe lights and loud sound effects)
• Depictions of blood, extreme violence, murder, suicide

Generous support for this production is provided by the Robert and Lorna Cohen Endowment for Excellence in Drama, Theatre Guild, and Claire Trevor Society.

Performances
Evenings: Feb. 3, 8, 9^, 10 at 8 p.m.
Matinees: Feb. 4*, 10 at 2 p.m.
Evening: Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

* Please join us after the Sunday, Feb. 4 matinee for a TalkBack with cast & crew.

^Join us for 2-for-1 alumni night on Friday, Feb. 9, for the 8 p.m. showing.

ARTeater Alumni: Enjoy a pre-show reception in Studio 4, 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m., with light refreshments. Alumni with tickets to the Friday show are invited and welcome to attend.

Only UCI alumni can enjoy 2-for-1 tickets for Friday night only. Normally priced $22 alumni tickets will be sold in multiples of two for $11 each yielding a $22 total per pair.

BUY ALUMNI 2-FOR-1 TICKETS HERE.

_{NO REFUNDS ON PREVIOUS PURCHASES | OFFER VALID WHILE TICKETS LAST & EXPIRES 48 HRS. BEFORE EVENT START TIME | RESERVE ONLINE ONLY: WWW.ARTS.UCI.EDU/PROMOS > CODE: ALUMNI-FRIDAYS | SUPPORT: ARTSTIX@UCI.EDU OR 949-824-2787}

Tickets
General Admission: $25
Senior Age 62+: $22
UCI Faculty, Alumni, Staff, Emeriti and Retirees: $22
Arts Packages (3+ events): $21
Groups 10+: $20
Students & Youth Age 17/Below: $10

• UCI Faculty, Alumni, Staff, Emeriti and Retirees may enjoy the FAStER Pass.

Discounted Advance Pre-Paid Parking Permits Reserve at least the day before the event.

 Shuttle info
Service is available for guests with disabilities or those with mobility issues, from the Mesa Parking Structure (MPS) to select shows throughout the season.
PLEASE NOTE THAT -- AS OF JANUARY 11, 2024 -- OUR GOLF CART IS UNDER REPAIR AND MAY NOT BE IN SERVICE UNTIL SPRING QUARTER.
​We recommend calling the Box Office at 949-824-2787 on the Wednesday or Thursday before your event (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) OR calling one hour before start time on event day.

Buy Tickets

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Performance Program