Winter's Tale, The (2000)
Written by William ShakespeareDirected by Brian Kulick
Bronson Pinchot made his New York Shakespeare Festival debut in this production.
Childhood friends King Leontes of Sicilia and King Polixenes of Bohemia are torn apart when Leontes suspects his wife Hermione of having an affair with his friend. Though innocent, Polixenes flees to Bohemia, and Hermione is imprisoned. She gives birth before standing trial and Leontes disowns his infant daughter, ordering her abandoned in the desert. Hermione stands trial, but before her fate can be decided the young prince dies of grief over his mother’s plight and Hermione is reported dead by her friend Paulina. Leontes realizes his error and vows to mourn them for the rest of his days. In Bohemia, a shepherd discovers Hermione’s abandoned daughter Perdita and raises her as his own. Sixteen years later she has captured to affections of Polixenes’ son Prince Florizel. They flee to Sicilia to escape Polixenes’ disapproval and are welcomed into the court of Leontes. When Polixenes follows, the two old friends are reconciled and Perdita’s true identity is discovered. Paulina then reveals that Hermione is not dead, but has been living in hiding, and the royal family is reunited.