Producing Artistic Director, Dane CT Leasure, brings new life to this classic Shakespearean show through creative concept and casting. In this production, set in the 1980s, the title character—traditionally King Lear—has been cast as a female. The story becomes a tale about a mother, Queen Lear, and her three daughters. When aging Lear decides to divide her kingdom among her daughters, a perfect plan backfires as the daughters turn against her and the weight of her decisions begin to drive her to madness.

This show features an all-star cast of talented local actors. Taking on the title role is actress Michele McNeal. McNeal has been acting and designing for Rubber City Shakespeare Company since the company’s inception. She has been a long-time performer, gracing stages all across Northeast Ohio. Joining Rubber City Shakespeare Company for the first time is three-time Emmy Award winner, Eric Mansfield. Mansfield has performance experience in local community theatre, in addition to his 20 years of Television News experience—winning awards as an anchor-reporter at WKYC-TV (NBC-Cleveland). McNeal and Mansfield are joined by nine other talented men and women who will bring the story to life in new and engaging ways.

The production opens on Friday, June 2 with Rubber City Shakespeare Company’s traditional Pay-As-You-Like-It performance, in which admission charges are waived thanks to our generous supporters (audiences are encouraged to “pay as you like it” or donate what they can after the show). Lear runs through June 18. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday performances begin at 2:00 p.m. All performances will be located at The Well, CDC. The Well is located at 647 East Market Street.