Thursday, September 8, 2022

Southwest Shakespeare brings Tony Winning Actress Trezana Beverley to Star as KING LEAR


Southwest Shakespeare announces The Tony Award Winning Actress, Trezana Beverley, will take the title role of KING LEAR, making her first appearance in Arizona in this iconic role.

Beverley, who will perform KING LEAR as a man, was the first African-American actress to receive a Tony Award when she won in 1977 for "Best Featured Actress in a Play" for her role in For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf.  

She first took on the role of Lear for Take Wing and Soar Productions at the National Black Theatre in 2009, which was received with great audience and critical acclaim.

The gender-bending casting is part of Debra Ann Byrd, Artistic Director's expanded vision for Southwest Shakespeare, now in its 29th season. Elizabeth Swain, nationally known for her insightful interpretations of Shakespeare's works will direct.

Performances of KING LEAR are October 14 - 29 at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St. Tickets start at $55 and are on sale at mesaartscenter.com 

Cast:
Cynnita Agent: Goneril
Robert Altizer: Gloucester
Brady Anderson: Burgundy/Oswald
Aaron Angello: Kent/Old Man
Trezana Beverley*: King Lear
Kenneth Chambers: Albany
Jim “Doc” Coates*: Fool
Rachelle Dart: Edgar
Joi Fletcher: Cordelia
Gustavo A Flores: Edmund
Adam Guinn: Cornwall/Messenger, Gentleman, Captain, Herald
Sam McInerney: Edgar (Student Matinees)
Jayden O’Farrel: France/Knight/Servant/Doctor/Soldier
Isaac Ramsey: Attendant/Cornwall’s Servant/Messenger/Soldier
Monica Sampson: Regan
Tyler Sines: Curan/Servant/Gentleman/Soldier/Messanger

* Member of Actors & Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Manager in the United States.

For more information, visit swshakespeare.org or mesaartscenter.com to purchase.

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