Rubber City Shakespeare Company announces its final show of the season, William Shakespeare’s “Lear,” which opens June 2 and runs until June 18, at the Well CDC, 647 E. Market St.

Producing Artistic Director Dane CT Leasure breathes new life into this classic show through creative concept and casting. In this production, set in the 1980s, the title character—traditionally King Lear—has been cast as a female. The story becomes a tale about a mother, Queen Lear, and her three daughters. When aging Lear decides to divide her kingdom among her daughters, a perfect plan backfires, as the daughters turn against her and the weight of her decisions begin to drive her to madness.

The show features an all-star cast of talented local actors. Taking on the title role is actress Michele McNeal, who has been acting and designing for Rubber City Shakespeare Company since the company’s inception.

She has been a long-time performer, gracing stages all across Northeast Ohio.

Joining Rubber City Shakespeare Company for the first time is three-time Emmy Award winner Eric Mansfield. Mansfield has performance experience in local community theatre, in addition to

his 20 years of television news experience—winning awards as an anchor-reporter at WKYC-TV

(NBC-Cleveland).

McNeal and Mansfield are joined by nine other talented men and women who will bring the story

to life in new and engaging ways.

The production opens on Friday, June 2 with Rubber City Shakespeare Company’s traditional Pay-

As-You-Like-It performance, in which admission charges are waived thanks to supporters (audiences are encouraged to “pay as you like it” or donate what they can after the show).

Lear runs through June 18. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m., and

Sunday performances begin at 2 p.m. All performances will be located at The Well, CDC, 647 E. Market St.

Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for students and $12 for youth (ages 7 through 13). Tickets may be

purchased by phone at (234) 252-0272, online at rubbercityshakes.com/tickets or at the door one

hour prior to show time. Students with valid school or university ID may also take advantage of $5 student rush tickets (at the door only, subject to availability). Flex Passes, group pricing and

season memberships are also available.

Rubber City Shakespeare Company was established in 2013 and strives to bring affordable

Shakespeare and classical drama to the greater Akron area. The organization is funded by Ohio Arts Council, The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, Akron Community Foundation and individual members of Northeast Ohio Community.