A Will of Their Own

The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival gives King Lear the CliffsNotes treatment at its outdoor performances all this month. The long cautionary tale about love, madness, and treacherous offspring now clocks in at less than two hours. "We cut it so we can focus on the story," says artistic director Lawrence Nehring. "We're able to do it all while there's still some daylight left." One of Shakespeare's most weighty works, King Lear tells the story of a monarch who divides his kingdom between his three daughters. Don't look for any puffy shirts, though. The production features contemporary costumes and sets. "People are more likely to embrace the story this way," says Nehring.
July 14-15, 7 p.m.