Passion abounds as winter’s jealousy and rage surrender to spring’s enchantment and forgiveness in the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival’s production of The Winter’s Tale. Performed in the intimate setting of the newly-renamed Schubert Theatre, the production previews tonight and tomorrow, June 13 and 14, opens June 15 and continues through July 1.

The Production Sponsor is the Wills Hall Oblate Community and the co-sponsor is Lutron Electronics Company, Inc.

The Winter’s Tale marks the beginning of “Prologues”, a 30-minute presentation led by a member of PSF’s artistic staff that gives participants key plot points and insights into the play. “Prologues” is held prior to every performance of the season’s two Shakespeare plays, The Winter’s Tale and The Taming of the Shrew, in the theatre 45 minutes before curtain.

Written later in Shakespeare’s career, The Winter’s Tale presents two dramatically opposing genres within its mythical plot -- tragedy and romantic comedy. Although the early scenes convey rage and distress, the play rebounds with compassion, humor and love.

The Winter’s Tale opens as Sicilia’s jealous king, Leontes, accuses his faithful and pregnant wife, Hermione, of committing adultery with his lifelong friend, Polixenes, King of Bohemia. Despite overwhelming evidence contrary to his delusions, Leontes’ inability to relinquish his blind jealousy drives him to throw his expectant wife into prison.

Leontes’ impetuous wrath continues as he casts his newborn daughter out of Sicilia to be left in the wilderness. Antigonus, a noble lord of Sicilia, carries the child to the wilds of Bohemia and bestows upon her the name of Perdita, according to the wishes Hermione expressed to him in a dream. Mere moments later, Antigonus faces a much more unfortunate fate in one of Shakespeare’s most poignant and straightforward stage directions: “Exit, pursued by a bear.”

The abandoned young girl is discovered by an old shepherd and his son. After being raised in this modest lifestyle for sixteen years, Perdita finds herself in the forbidden favor of king Polixenes’ now grown son, Florizel. They fall in love, though their betrothal is cut short when the disguised Polixenes intervenes. The lovers set sail for Sicilia. With the reappearance of Perdita’s remorseful father, Shakespeare presents several twists of fate, longed-for reconciliations, unexpected reunions, and a passionate exploration of the human heart throughout the remainder of the play.

This production of The Winter’s Tale features several acclaimed PSF actors with Greg Wood as Leontes, Emmy award-winner Wayne Turney as Antigonus and the Shepherd, Ron Heneghan as Polixenes, Anne Lewis as Paulina, H. Michael Walls as Camillo, Anthony Lawton, and Zack Robidas. In addition to playing Jacques in last season’s As You Like It, Mr. Wood will perform his 20th PSF role later in the season as Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew. Other credits include roles at the Arden Theatre Co., the Walnut Street Theatre, the Actors Theatre of Louisville, with TV/Film credits including The Sixth Sense, Signs, and Law & Order.

A newcomer to the Festival, Deanne Lorette, who will play the virtuous Hermione, has appeared extensively in leading roles at: Syracuse Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and The Repertory Theater of St. Louis, with TV credits including Guiding Light and The Passion. Playing Hermione’s gentle daughter Perdita, Erin Partin has performed for six seasons with the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey in such roles as Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Abigail in The Crucible, and Anya in The Cherry Orchard.

Director of this production and the Festival’s Producing Artistic Director, Patrick Mulcahy has directed PSF’s productions of Henry IV, Part 1, The Tempest, and has also acted in and served as fight director for The Taming of the Shrew and Julius Caesar. Mr. Mulcahy describes The Winter’s Tale as “a mythic romance… that illuminates magical transformations of life and love. The play is about healing separation, in relationships, within one’s self, and between one’s self and the divine.”

After designing last season’s Sleuth and Othello, in addition to numerous sets since 1995, Emmy award-winner Bob Phillips designed the impressionistic set, in which the lush Sicilian court transforms into the rustic countryside of Bohemia. Rosemarie McKelvey designed costumes, Steve TenEyck, lighting; and Matthew Given, sound.

The 2007 Festival also includes Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus (June 20-July 8), Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew (July 18-August 5) on the Festival Stage; Charles Ludlam’s The Mystery of Irma Vep (July 11-August 5), and Kristin Sergel’s adaptation of A.A. Milne’s childhood classic, Winnie the Pooh (through August 4) in the Schubert Theatre.

The free outdoor Green Show completes the season's offerings and is performed one hour prior to each evening performance.

Performances of The Winter’s Tale are Tuesdays at 7pm; Wednesdays through Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm (no 2pm Saturday, June 16 and 23); Sundays at 2pm; Family nights: Sunday, June 17 and 24 at 7:30pm.

Single ticket prices range from $27 to $45. Discounts are available for seniors, students, and groups. Season tickets are still available and offer patrons the greatest discounts and flexibility. Tickets can be ordered by calling 610-282 WILL or online at www.pashakespeare.org.

Linda Lapos and Paul Wirth are the 2007 Season Sponsors. Associate Season Sponsors are: the Harry C. Trexler Trust, The Morning Call and Service Electric Cable TV & Communications.

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival at DeSales University is the Official Shakespeare Festival of the Commonwealth and a professional, not-for-profit theatre company. An independent 501 c 3 organization, PSF receives support from DeSales University and relies on contributions from individuals, government agencies, corporations and foundations. PSF is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia and the Shakespeare Theatre Association of America.

For ticket information, contact PSF at 610-282-WILL [9455], ext. 1, or online at www.pashakespeare.org.