Capital Classics sets full 2025 Shakespeare Festival lineup With Twelfth Night, King Lear
Capital Classics Theatre Company announced the complete lineup of activities and entertainment for the two productions that will comprise the 2025 Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival. Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy Twelfth Night and the towering tragedy King Lear will run in rotation July 9 and run through Sunday, August 3, 2025, outdoors on the campus of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in West Hartford. In the event of inclement weather, the production moves inside the university’s Bruyette Atheneum.
Shakespeare’s effervescent Twelfth Night, under the direction of Brian Jennings, will feature Mauricio Miranda (member of Actors’ Equity Association), who performed to tremendous acclaim in the title role of Hamlet last summer, returns in the role of Malvolio. The cast also includes a combination of Capital Classics’ favorites and new faces: Rebecca Ellis (Feste), Abuzar Farrukh (Orsino), Meg Gwyn (Viola), Remy McCoy (Fabian), Jeremy Parrott (Curio & Others), Jason Pietroluongo (Sebastian), Zachary Russell (Andrew), Geoffrey Sheehan (Toby), Kiera Sheehan (Olivia), Laura Sheehan (Maria), Christina Rielle (Valentine & Officer), and Gavin Whelan (Antonio/Captain).
King Lear, directed by Sasha Brätt, will feature Capital Classics co-founder Geoffrey Sheehan in the title role and Stuart Rider(Member, Actors’ Equity Association) as Gloucester. The cast of Twelfth Night (with the exception of Miranda and McCoy), will appear in the following roles in King Lear: Rebecca Ellis (Goneril), Abuzar Farrukh (Albany/Soldier), Meg Gwyn (Fool), Jeremy Parrott (Burgundy & Others), Jason Pietroluongo (King of France & Others), Zachary Russell (Edmund), Kiera Sheehan (Regan), Laura Sheehan (Kent), Christina Rielle (Cordelia), and Gavin Whelan (Edgar). Kevoy Somerville rounds out the cast as Cornwall/Soldier.
The design team for the 2025 Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival includes Steve Mountzoures (sets), Vivianna Lamb (costumes), and Robyn Joyce (lighting). Music for King Lear will be composed and performed by Nairobi Mouning. Music for Twelfth Night will be composed and performed by Jaeme McDonald with choreography by Christine Simoes. Stage Management for the festival include Fiona Jennings (Twelfth Night) and Allen Sager(King Lear).
Twelfth Night and King Lear will each be performed 10 times over the course of the four week festival. The alternating productions will begin on July 9 and run through Sunday, August 3, 2025 outdoors, directly outside the Bruyette Atheneum on the campus of The University of Saint Joseph (1678 Asylum Avenue in West Hartford). Performances are rain or shine with a complete set awaiting onstage in the Hoffman Auditorium in the event of inclement weather.
Pre-show Festival Entertainment Announced
One of the hallmarks of the Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival is the pre-show entertainment and this year’s festival is no different.
- Wednesday evening performances at 7:30pm will be preceded with performances by the University of Saint Joseph Dance Ensemble at 7pm (July 9 and 23) or singer-songwriter Christopher John (July 16 and 30).
- Thursday evening performances at 7:30pm will be preceded by South American music performed by the Elqui Duo at 7pm.
- Friday and Saturday evening performances at 7:30pm will be preceded by the ever-popular Elizabethan Consort at 7pm.
- Sunday afternoon performances at 5:30pm will be preceded by a brief pre-show scholarly preview at 5pm. Sunday afternoon talk backs occurring follow the July 20 and 27 performances. Featured scholars are: July 13 – Christina Flood, USJ Librarian and Professor of the First-Year Seminar in Theater; July 20 – Dr. Aidan Levy, USJ English Professor; July 27 – Dr. Anthony Johnston, USJ Education Professor and actor; August 3 – Dan Russell, Co-Owner of Sea Tea Theater in Hartford and Improv Teacher.
- Before all performances and during intermission, guests can enjoy two visual arts exhibitions in the air-conditioned Bruyette Atheneum adjacent to the performing space. Showgoers can visit the Art Gallery at University of Saint Joseph (featuring its stunning array of work ranging from Georgia O’Keefe to Mary Cassat) and a lobby of exhibition of past Capital Classics’ show posters designed by Cipher Creative Group and one-of-a-kind dolls representing characters from Twelfth Night and King Lear.
- On Sunday, July 20 and Sunday, August 3, the festival will hostfree activities for children from 4:30-5:15 p.m. The nonprofit P.E.A.C.E (Powerful Experiences for Art & Cultural Exchange) will lead children through a choice of two activities: (1) dressing paper dolls to represent characters in Twelfth Night or (2) painting a balsa model ship, representing the ship in Twelfth Night. Children must be accompanied by an adult. You can order free tickets for this activity when purchasing your performance tickets.
- Wednesday, July 23 will feature an interactive pre-show experience with the Connecticut Collaborative to End Loneliness where two strangers of any age can engage in conversation.
- Pre-show food and beverage will be available for sale at select performances including Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck (July 9, 10 & 11), Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ (July 24 & 25), and OneSong Biscotti (all Sunday afternoons).
Performances are Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30pm with Sunday performances occurring at 5:30pm. Tickets are $25 for general admission to Twelfth Night or King Lear; $20 if you purchase tickets to both shows or if you are a USJ alum. Seniors/Students/Military and Group discounts are $17 for one production; $15 if you book for both productions. Youth 11 and younger are free. The repertory performance schedule and tickets are now available at CapitalClassics.org.
Audiences are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs, picnics, friends, and family.
Share your Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival experience with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram
Click here for the latest news for Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival
Click here for the upcoming events at the Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival
Click here for the latest news at Captial Classic Theatre Company
Click here for the upcoming events at Capital Classic Theatre Company
Click here for the latest news in Hartford
Click here for the upcoming events in Hartford
Click here for the latest news in Hartford County
Click here for the upcoming events in Hartford County
Click here for Hartford Merch
#theartfordlife • 860 Hartford • I Clover Hartford • I’d rather be in Hartford • I Really Really Miss Hartford • Just a kid from Hartford • Hartord Coordinates
Hartford t shirts • Hartford hoodies • Hartford sweatshirts • Mugs • Stickers • Blankets
Click here for Hartford County Merch
••••••• Message center – Connecticut savings and messages from our sponsors •••••••
Patriotic shirts for every Connecticut town
From the quiet corners of Litchfield County to the shoreline streets of New London, we’re bringing hometown pride and American spirit together. Our patriotic shirts are custom-designed for every town in Connecticut—so you can celebrate where you’re from and the red, white, and blue. Perfect for parades, backyard BBQs, or just repping your roots with pride.
Because in Connecticut, every town has a story—and every story deserves stars and stripes.
As of 6/15 – Shirts will be finished by the end of the week – mugs and tote bags to follow.
Fairfield County
Bridgeport • Stamford • Norwalk • Danbury • Greenwich • Fairfield • Stratford • Shelton • Trumbull • Newtown • Westport • Ridgefield • Darien • New Canaan • Bethel • Monroe • Wilton • Brookfield • New Fairfield • Weston • Redding • Easton • Sherman
New Haven County
New Haven • Waterbury • Meriden • Hamden • West Haven • East Haven • Milford • Naugatuck • Cheshire • Branford • North Haven • Guilford • Southbury • Ansonia • Madison • Derby • Prospect • Middlebury • Beacon Falls • Bethany • Wallingford • Seymour • Wolcott • Orange • Oxford • Woodbridge
Hartford County
Hartford • West Hartford • East Hartford • New Britain • Bristol • Manchester • Southington • Enfield • Glastonbury • Newington • Windsor • South Windsor • Wethersfield • Farmington • Simsbury • Bloomfield • Rocky Hill • Berlin • Avon • Plainville • Windsor Locks • Granby • East Windsor • Canton • Burlington • Marlborough • Hartland • East Granby • Suffield •
Litchfield County
New Milford • Torrington • Watertown • Plymouth • Winchester • Woodbury • Litchfield • New Hartford • Harwinton • Salisbury • Washington • Barkhamsted • Bethlehem • Goshen • North Canaan • Sharon • Roxbury • Morris • Bridgewater • Norfolk • Cornwall • Colebrook • Warren • Canaan • Kent
Middlesex County
Middletown • Old Saybrook • Portland • East Haddam • Haddam • Durham • Westbrook • Essex • Killingworth • Deep River • Middlefield • Chester • East Hampton • Cromwell • Clinton
New London County
Norwich • Groton • New London • Waterford • East Lyme • Stonington • Montville • Griswold • Old Lyme • Lebanon • North Stonington • Preston • Salem • Lisbon • Sprague • Voluntown • Bozrah • Lyme • Franklin • Mystic • Colchester • Ledyard
Tolland County
Vernon • Mansfield • Ellington • Coventry • Stafford • Somers • Hebron • Willington • Columbia • Bolton • Andover • Tolland • Union
Windham County
Windham • Killingly • Thompson • Putnam • Brooklyn • Woodstock • Canterbury • Pomfret • Ashford • Sterling • Chaplin • Hampton • Eastford • Scotland
Don’t miss our popular collections 203 • Two o’ Three • 860 • Eight Six O’ • I Really Really Miss Connecticut • Just a kid from Connecticut • Love & Live • Connecticut Fall
Save 10% on all products with promo code Post10. Always free shipping
Farmington Polo Club
The Farmington Polo Club is set to offer a vibrant lineup of events this June, blending competitive polo with festive themes and family-friendly activities.
June 21, 2025 – Aloah Summer Kick-Off Party
June 28, 2025 – Cowgirl Cup
Click here to purchase tickets
Gourmet Cookies
Indulge in Keksi gourmet cookies, featuring classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, as well as new monthly creations. Made with the highest quality ingredients, each bite is a delicious treat. Perfect for any cookie lover!
Movie showtimes at Prospector Theater
Looking to see a movie. Click here for showtimes
Save on CBD!
My name is Jillian, and I am the editor here at Finding Connecticut. When I came across New England Hemp Farm a few years ago, I had recently had my ankle fused. New England Hemp Farm’s Sports Relief Rub and 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil have helped with everyday and weather pain.
Finding quality products that can improve your day-to-day life can be tough, but with New England Hemp Farm, getting a good night’s sleep or relieving your pain and anxiety has never been easier. Plus, using our code Findingconnecticut35, you’ll save 35% on your first purchase. And don’t forget, returning customers can use code Findingconnecticut20 to save 20% on orders. Let us help you find relief and savings with New England Hemp Farm.
Products we use here at Finding Connecticut include Sports Relief Rub • 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil • Pet Drops • Pet Treats
Let’s create with Victory Designs
Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.
Connecticut business owners:
Are you a local business owner in Connecticut looking to boost your visibility and reach more customers? Look no further! Our platform provides a unique opportunity to showcase your business to an engaged audience of people who love and live in Connecticut. By partnering with us, you can reach potential customers who are actively seeking things to do, places to dine, and local merchants and service providers to support. Don’t miss out on this chance to grow your business and connect with the local community!
Connecticut with us!
Stay informed with daily news directly in your inbox! Our service is completely free, and we guarantee your privacy – your email and information will never be shared, traded, or sold.
Stay connected with us on social media
Facebook • Instagram • Threads • Tiktok • X • Newsbreak • Bluesky
Join our Reddit community
Share your Connecticut experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram
Click here to return to Finding Connecticut’s home page
Don’t miss our reviews
Concert reviews • Restaurant reviews • Family restaurant reviews
Looking for the latest news by region, topic, and events
Latest news by region
Fairfield County • Hartford County • Litchfield County • Middlesex County • New Haven County • New London County• Tolland County • Windham County
Latest sports news by team
Hartford Wolf Pack • Hartford Yard Goats • Connecticut Sun • Norwich Sea Unicorns •
2025 schedules
Hartford Wolf Pack • Hartford Yard Goats • Connecticut Sun • Norwich Sea Unicorns • Farmington Polo Club
Events by region
Fairfield County • Hartford County • Litchfield County • New Haven County • New London County • Middlesex County • Tolland County • Windham County
Events by Interest
Art • Sports • Family Friendly • History • Concerts • Farmers’ Markets
Events by the month
June 2025 • July 2025 • August 2025 • September 2025 • October 2025 • November 2025 • December 2025
Events by venue
College Street Music Hall • Space Ballroom • Westville Music Bowl • District Music Hall • Fairfield Theatre Company • Hartford Stage • The Bushnell • Goodspeed Opera House • Mohegan Sun • Foxwoods • New York Comedy Club Stamford • Westport Country Playhouse • Goodspeed Opera House