BY ALISON O’DONNELL ON FEBRUARY 20, 2026
Trinity Rep tells us their staging of William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale is a freewheeling blend of comedy and tragedy, a journey through jealousy, redemption, and second chances. In a fit of unfounded jealousy, King Leontes accuses his wife, Hermione, of infidelity, leading to heart-wrenching consequences. Sixteen years later, a kismet romance blossoms, sparking reconciliation in the most magical of circumstances. The Bard’s dynamic play is directed by Ben Steinfeld, the co-artistic director of Fiasco Theater, which is the acclaimed Off-Broadway company created by Brown/Trinity Rep alumni. His direction of this production aptly handles the tragicomedy emotional extremes with heartfelt precision.
In the bard’s day, theatre productions typically did not have intermissions. The rising and falling action ran straight through at a quick pace. As the climax happens just before intermission here, the second half can feel a bit anti-climactic. This in no way reflects on the acting of the cast though, as these veteran actors deliver stellar performances. Rachel Warren takes us on a gut-wrenching tour of pain when Hermione is accused, and again whilst she defends herself. She also portrays Time, and Mopsa, with equal gusto.
Stephen Thorne never disappoints in his performances, and he again commands the stage in this production as both the impulsive, rageful Leontes, and Old Shepherd. Becky Gibel, in the supporting roles of Paulina and Autolycus, is especially compelling as well as comforting. She lends vitality, strength and integrity to her characters, the perfect complement to Leontes’s jealous nature.
Jessie March as Perdita (Latin for “the lost one”), and Abram Blau as Prince Florizel, permeate the young lovers with innocence and genuineness, their connection a refreshing contrast to the strains depicted earlier between Leontes and Hermione, Perdita’s long-lost parents. This romance serves as a compulsory bridge toward resumption, alleviating the mistakes made by the older couple. Rounding out the cast are Mathieu Myrick, Mauro Hantman, andOmar Robinson.
Music direction and composition by Steinfeld injects interludes expertly underscored by Peter Sasha Hurowitz’s playful sound design, imbuing the production with cheerful humor. Scenic design by Edward T. Morris is visually striking in its simplicity. Locations seamlessly transform, including from a cold courtroom to a sunny meadow. These creative shifts, thanks largely to effective lighting design by Kat C. Zhou, shed light on possibility. Costume design by Toni Spadafora-Sadler offers a timeless yet contemporary feel.
“The Winter’s Tale celebrates Time itself as a character in its own right — not as something to fear, but something that allows us to grow, to soften, and to see more clearly,” says Executive Director Kate Liberman. “Time brings perspective, grace, and joy, teaching us that patience can be fruitful, and that the future may hold wonder. One of the most famous moments in The Winter’s Tale comes near its end, when a character urges those gathered together to believe in transformation: ‘It is required,’ she says, ‘You do awake your faith.’ Theater asks this of us, too: to gather in a shared space, to witness one another, and to believe that art can still move us to mutual compassion and empathy. Coming to the theater today is, in a way, an act of faith in our shared humanity.”
Come to the theatre and see for yourself. This production certainly is much ado about something!
Trinity presents The Winter’s Tale through March 22, running in rotating repertory with The Roommate. Production runs about 2 hours twenty minutes with one 15-minute intermission. For more information, visit trinityrep.com.