Texas State brings madness of Shakespeare’s King Lear to stage

Date of Release: 03/03/2005

SAN MARCOS — The Texas State University-San Marcos Department of Theatre and Dance presents Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, King Lear, April 7-9 and 14-16 at 7:30 p.m. and April 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. on the main stage in the Theatre Center on campus.

An older man holding a young woman who appears to be dead
Michael Costello portrays Lear and Susan Lynch plays Cordelia in the Texas State production of Shakespeare’s King Lear. Photo by Don Anders.

Directed by Debra Charlton, Ph.D., with faculty member Michael Costello, M.F.A., in the title role of Lear, the Texas State production brings to life the play that spawned the now-immortal line: “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.” Love, betrayal and madness lie at the center of Shakespeare’s dark tale of splintered family relationships. When Lear decides to abdicate his throne, he sets into motion a game of treachery and deceit that eventually destroys him and his kingdom. Blinded by the flattery of his two eldest daughters, he disinherits his only truthful child, Cordelia. When betrayed by the daughters he trusted, Lear must journey through madness to discover forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation.

Admission is $8 for the general public and $5 for students with a Texas State ID. Tickets go on sale March 31 and can be purchased at the University Box Office in the Theatre Center, located at the corner of Moon Street and University Drive. Warning: this performance contains graphic violence and may not be suitable for children.

Media coverage of this project is invited. For further information, contact the Texas State Box Office at (512) 245-2204 or Victoria Alvarez at (512) 245-2147.