Rochester Community Players (RCP) began its 99th season with a successful production of William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” adapted and directed by David Kensek. Last staged by RCP in 2014, his adaptation for this 2024 production brought a new perspective to the play’s story of jealousy and forgiveness by showing the past through the eyes of Perdita, the banished daughter of King Leontes and Queen Hermione. While traditionally a secondary character, Perdita became a major character watching her family’s life playing out in memories.
According to Kensek, “The concept of Perdita becoming an observer of her parent’s lives throughout the play balances Leontes’s dominant presence during the first three acts and provides a more objective view of his choices.” His version of “The Winter’s Tale” also made use of color to convey the play’s changing moods from muted tones at the beginning to more colorful scenes in the second act and ending with somber hues projecting realism, accountability and retribution.
Photos by Michelle Blake