Oakland Theater Project and New Performance Traditions present

KING LEAR

By William Shakespeare
Directed by Michael Socrates Moran
Music composed by Paul Dresher

September 25 – October 11, 2026
Z Space’s Steindler Stage

In the twilight of his rule, a king sets out to divide the kingdom among his three daughters. But in mistaking flattery for love, Lear’s foolish choices usher in a new reign of domination, cruelty and collapse.

As a self-styled “bastard” sets out to upend the ruling order, Lear must confront his own part in the kingdom’s downfall.

Can he transform in time to reclaim what is sacred before the clown show becomes the new order?

Ritual and spectacle collide in Michael Socrates Moran’s bold, contemporary staging of Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, featuring a cast of 30, including the “irrepressible” (SF Chronicle) J Jha (Angels in America, Mahābhārata) as Lear; renowned performer, singer, and writer Rinde Eckert (Ghost Quartet) as The Fool; and music composed by Paul Dresher and performed live by the Dresher | Davel Invented Instrument Duo.

Schedule

Previews
Friday, September 25 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 26 at 7 p.m.

Opening
Sunday, September 27 at 7 p.m.

Performances
Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun through October 11
Thu, Fri, Sat at 7 p.m.
Sun, Oct 4 & 11 at 2 p.m.

Run Time: 3 hours (including 2 intermissions)

Cast

King Lear
J Jha

The Fool
Rinde Eckert

Edmund
Dean Linnard

Goneril
Sarah Kasuga

Regan
Natalie Pasquinelli

Cordelia
Dina Zarif

Kent / Caius
Rolando Morales

Gloucester
Ryan Lee

Edgar / Poor Tom
Tyler Aguallo

Albany
AJ Lugue

Oswald
Leo Kearney

Cornwall
Joseph Alvarado

King of France / Third Servant / King Lear's ensemble / Edmund's ensemble
Amr Hedayat

Curan / Captain / King Lear's ensemble
Amelia Costales-Downey

First Servant / King Lear’s ensemble
A'Nia Ferguson

Second Servant / Herald / King Lear's ensemble
Maria Sieple

Monks / Bedlam Beggars
Joshua Bao
Sun Abenojar
Amber McCann
Angel Castro

MUSIC

Performed live by the Dresher | Davel Invented Instrument Duo

Paul Dresher — Hurdy Grande and keyboard

Joel Davel — Marimba Lumina and percussion