Comedy, tragedy, music: Summer season continues at Utah Shakespeare Festival

David Pichette, left, as Gremio, Peter Sham as Baptista Minola, Brian Vaughn as Petruchio and Michael Doherty as Tranio in the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s 2015 production of "The Taming of the Shrew," Cedar City, Utah, date not specified | Photo by Karl Hugh courtesy of Utah Shakespeare Festival, St. George News

CEDAR CITY — The Utah Shakespeare Festival’s summer lineup includes three plays that will close out the final run for the Adams Shakespearean Theatre: “King Lear,” “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Henry IV Part Two.” Also currently playing in the Randall L. Jones Theatre are “Amadeus,” “Charley’s Aunt” and “South Pacific” .

Tickets are available online or by calling 800-PLAYTIX (800-752-9849). Ticket packages and group discounts are available.

The shows

“King Lear”

Playing through Sept. 4 at the Adams Theatre is “King Lear.” When Cordelia, King Lear’s favorite daughter, says nothing, proud Lear misinterprets, and his world slowly but relentlessly descends into madness, chaos and nothingness.

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Video courtesy of Utah Shakespeare Festival, St. George News

“The Taming of the Shrew”

“The Taming of the Shrew,” starring Melinda Pfundstein and Brian Vaughn, plays through Sept. 5 at the Adams Theatre .

Kate and Petruchio are one of literature’s greatest screwball couples, hellbent on confusing and outwitting each other — right up to the play’s hilarious, but revealing, final scene.

“Henry IV Part Two”

“Henry IV Part Two” plays through Sept. 5, also at the Adams Theater. The play is part of the “Complete the Canon Project” and stars Larry Bull and Sam Ashdown.

Following up on last season’s part one, “Henry IV Part Two” has King Henry in failing health and young Prince Hal in a position where he must decide: fantasy and youthful rebellion, or the sobering and often harsh realities of kingship?

“Amadeus”

Playing in the Randall L. Jones Theatre, “Amadeus” continues through Sept. 5.

Overshadowed by the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, court composer Antonio Salieri struggles to escape his own obscurity. In his quest to be remembered, he lies and cheats. But, against the background of the world’s greatest music, did he also murder?

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Video courtesy of Utah Shakespeare Festival, St. George News

“Charley’s Aunt”

“Charley’s Aunt” plays through Oct. 31 in the Randall L. Jones Theatre.

A quiet luncheon turns into a corset-busting masquerade when two college chums go to great lengths to woo a pair of charming young ladies, including persuading their wacky friend to pose as an aunt from Brazil — where the nuts come from.

“South Pacific”

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s wartime classic “South Pacific” continues in the Randall L. Jones Theatre through Sept. 4. The show is adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Tales of the South Pacific” by James A Michener.

One of the most beloved musicals of all time, “South Pacific” is a sweeping story of love threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war, all set to favorite songs like “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Younger Than Springtime” and “Bali Ha’i.”

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Video courtesy of Utah Shakespeare Festival, St. George News

Event details

  • What: Utah Shakespeare Festival 2015 summer season
  • When: Shows continue through September and October
  • Where: Southern Utah University, 255 W. Center St., Cedar City
  • Admission: Tickets are available online or by calling 800-752-9849

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