We’re proud to announce our lineup for the 2024 Summer Season, which will feature three original works — with two World Premieres — inspired by Shakespeare, Agatha Christie, and Euripides, as well as our educational tour.
BY THE QUEEN
By Whitney White
Directed by Shana Cooper
Adapted from William Shakespeare’s Henry VI and Richard III
“What does it take to survive? Everything. It takes everything.”
By The Queen is a sharp, humorous and of-the-moment look at Shakespeare’s story of the War of the Roses, through the lens of one extraordinary woman’s reflections on her remarkable life. From her roots as a provincial princess of France, to her ascension to the all-powerful Queen of England and then her eventual downfall, the character of Queen Margaret is the ultimate survivor in a country coming apart at the seams. By The Queen received its world premiere last year at Trinity Repertory in Providence, RI.
The World Premiere of
THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD
By Heidi Armbruster
Directed by Ryan Quinn
Adapted from Agatha Christie
“Everyone has something to hide.”
The murder of Roger Ackroyd sends shockwaves through the tight-knit community of King’s Abbot, a drowsy village now awash with suspicion and secrecy. Not to fear — a certain mustachioed Belgian detective is on the case! This highly theatrical adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1926 masterpiece delves deep into the human psyche’s intricate dance with truth and deception, re-inventing the pleasures of the theatrical whodunnit with HVSF’s signature playful and freewheeling style.
The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, in a World Premiere Co-production with Red Bull Theater and Bedlam presents
MEDEA: RE-VERSED
By Luis Quintero
Co-Conceived and Directed by Nathan Winkelstein
Adapted from Euripides
“There’s more to her than anyone could ever infer –
You can kick my words to the curb. I think it’s time that we heard from her.”
An ice-cold, high-octane adaptation of Euripides’ play written in battle rap verse, this brand-new hip-hop version of Medea sheds contemporary light on the classic tragedy of family, power, and revenge – as terrifying and shocking today as it was two thousand years ago. Quintero’s version of the story reignites the sacred rage of our ancestors and illuminates in the most human terms the extraordinary lengths that some people will travel to even the scales of justice.
On Tour: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Kholoud Sawaf
“There is a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and Beatrice: they never meet but there’s a skirmish of wit between them.”
Scandal abounds in Shakespeare’s hilarious, biting comedy about lies, courtship, and the chaos created in pursuit of true love. The famous bantering lovers, Benedick and Beatrice, trade barbs while matching wits (and hearts) in this celebrated romantic romp. Perfect for the whole family, this 90-minute production is built to tour, and geared towards audiences of all ages. Learn more about the tour.
