Kings and knights and all manner of mayhem unfold in a pair of shows on opposite ends of the theatrical spectrum, but both have their feet firmly planted in Britain as “Spamalot” comes to the Saenger Theatre and “King Lear” launches the next season of the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival.
‘King Lear’
Death, betrayal, madness and more are brewing into a storm of epic proportion in William Shakespeare’s tragedy, the first production of the Shakespeare Festival’s 2026 season opening Friday on Tulane University’s Uptown campus.
Festival veteran John Neisler, who has also appeared in “American Horror Story” and “Mayfair Witches” on television, takes the title role of the king who divides his country between three daughters. This sets in motion a disastrous landslide of calamities, ending with a descent into madness and mortality.
Graham Burk, interim artist director for the festival, said Lear is a robust start for the season.
“King Lear is one of Shakespeare’s most powerful and emotionally devastating plays,” he said. “It’s a sweeping story of family, power, loyalty and the human need to be loved. It hasn’t been produced by the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival since 2009, and New Orleans audiences rarely have the opportunity to experience it.”
Burk said “King Lear” absolutely resonates with contemporary times as it explores what happens when power, ego and division overtake wisdom and compassion. It asks timeless questions about leadership, family fracture, truth, aging and who we choose to trust when the world feels unstable.
Though set in the distant yesteryear, Burk said the current production offers audiences a different look.
“While the play is set in a mythic past and our production embraces that grandeur through rich period costumes and striking visuals, audiences may be surprised by just how recognizable its struggles over authority, identity and human connection still feel today.”
Directed by Jana Mestecky, the production will be performed in the round.
“The audience is drawn directly into the emotional and psychological unraveling of the play, creating a sense of immediacy that’s rare for Shakespeare on this scale. Every whisper, betrayal and emotional rupture happens just feet away from the audience.”
Joining Neisler as the three daughters are Nia Ragini, Zarah Hokule’a Spalding and Anja Avsharian. Also appearing are James Bartelle, Jake Bartush, Silas Cooper, Michael C. Forest, Ryan Hayes, Helen Jaksch, Jeffrey Sugarman and Philip Roderic Yiannopoulos.
Tickets start at $27. A preview is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and the show will continue at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and at 1:30 p.m. Sundays through June 7 in the Lupin Theatre, 150 Dixon Hall Annex, 69 Newcomb Circle.
Also at the festival this year are “Macbeth” from June 26 to July 12, “The School for Wives” on July 13 and “The Fool’s Ensemble” on May 27 that combines humor, improv and Shakespeare. Visit neworleansshakespear.org.
The cast of ‘Spamalot’ brings on the laughs as the show comes to the Saenger Theatre in June.
‘Spamalot’
From the brilliant minds who brought forth “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” comes the stage show about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in their quest for the Holy Grail.
Based on the 1975 comedy classic film “Monty Pythhon and the Holy Grail,” “Spamalot” took three Tony Awards, including best musical, when it debuted in 2005.
In 10th-century Britain, Arthur and his knights are dispatched “by God” to find the Holy Grail. Laughs, plagues, demented knights and more are all along for the journey, written by “Python” alum Eric Idle.
Blake Segal as Patsy and Major Attaway King Arthur in ‘Spamalot,’ coming to the Saenger Theatre in June.
Broadway veteran Major Attaway (“Aladdin”) takes the role of Arthur, with fellow vet Sean Bell as Sir Robin, while taking a bigger role on stage than in the movie, the Lady of the Lake is played by Amanda Robles.
Filled with kookie and crazy songs, like “He’s Not Dead Yet,” “The Song That Goes Like This,” “Diva’s Lament” and “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway.”
Tickets for the laughfest start at $39. The show is at 7:30 p.m. June 2-6, plus 2 p.m. June 6, and at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. June 7 at the Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St, in New Orleans. Visit sangernola.com.
Onstage this week, May 21-27
Natlie Boyd is the title character in the NOLA Project’s next show, ‘Medea,’ planned for the Lafitte Greenway at 436 N. Norman C. Francis Parkway in New Orleans.
“MEDEA”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday, plus May 28-30; Lafitte Greenway, 436 N. Norman C. Francis Parkway. The NOLA Project takes a turn in the great outdoors and reaches back to ancient Greece for the story of a woman seeking vengeance at any cost. The modern adaptation of “Medea” by Alistair Elliot brings the story to life and transcending time. Tickets start at $20. nolaproject.com.
‘Primary Trust’ cast members include, from left, Jarrod Smith, Doug Spearman, Nicole Collins, Mark Cosby and Steve Gilliland.
“PRIMARY TRUST”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday; Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St. Crescent City Stage’s production of the story of Kenneth, a man who leads a simple life that gets upended when he loses the only job he’s ever known. From his daily mai tais with Bert to letting the world in, the story is a mix of humor, heartbreak and the unexpected. Tickets start at $35. crescentcitystage.com.
Elise Spurlock, left, whips up a bit of magic to help Cinderella, played by Gabrielle Treas, get ready for the ball in the Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts production of ‘Cinderella’ opening Friday in Kenner.
“RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and May 28, and 2 p.m. Sundays through May 31; Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts, 325 Minor St., Kenner. Classic fairy tale of a beleaguered young woman, assisted by a fairy godmother and filled with songs like “Impossible,” “In My Own Little Corner,” “Ten Minutes Ago” and “A Lovely Night.” Tickets start at $52. rivertowntheaters.com.
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