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About the project

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King Lear Project

Dramatic Reading of King Lear, by William Shakespeare

Adapted and Directed by Bryan Doerries

The King Lear Project presents streamlined readings of scenes from Shakespeare’s King Lear to engage diverse audiences—including older adults, caregivers, and family members—in open, healing, constructive, discussions about the challenges of aging, dementia, and caring for friends and loved ones.

The King Lear Project was developed in partnership with Brooklyn Public Library, and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, with support from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and the Weissman Foundation.

KING LEAR
Doth any here know me? This is not Lear:
Doth Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes?
Either his notion weakens, his discernings
Are lethargied--Ha! waking? 'tis not so.
Who is it that can tell me who I am?

FOOL
Lear's shadow.

Juliana Francis Kelly as Goneril and Andrea Patterson as Regan photo by Gregg Richards

About the play

  • King Lear by William Shakespeare

    King Lear by William Shakespeare depicts an elderly king at the border of losing his faculties and independence, who makes a series of rash decisions regarding the future of his kingdom, fracturing his family and isolating himself from those who love him most.

King Lear Highlights

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King Lear Project

James Earl Jones

The Bronx Museum of the Arts / 2019

Photo by Beowulf Sheehan

King Lear Project

Grandparents around the world presents king lear project

Bronx Museum of The Arts / 2019

It was a star-studded performance at the Bronx Museum of the Arts. Legendary Actor James Earl Jones partnered with Grandparents Around the World and Theater of War to bring Shakespeare's King Lear to the Bronx with a team of famed actors -- as a way to build bridges through communication among the various age groups reflected in communities.

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King Lear Project

Linda Powell, James Earl Jones, and his son, Flynn Jones

The Bronx Museum of the Arts / 2019

Photo by Beowulf Sheehan

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King Lear Project

James Earl Jones as King Lear

The Bronx Museum of The Arts / 2019

photo by Beowulf Sheehan

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King Lear Project

The King Lear Project Cast

The Bronx Museum of The Arts / 2019

Juliana Francis Kelly, Andrea Patterson, Obi Abili, Linda Powell, James Earl Jones, and his son, Flynn Jones.

photo by Beowulf Sheehan

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King Lear Project

Peter Francis James as Albany, and Juliana Francis Kelly as Goneril

The Bronx Museum of The Arts / 2019

photo by Beowulf Sheehan

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King Lear Project

The King Lear Project presented to Grandparents Around The World

The Bronx Museum of The Arts / 2019

Photo by Beowulf Sheehan

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King Lear Project

Andrea Patterson plays Regan and Juliana Francis Kelly plays Goneril

The Bronx Museum of The Arts / 2019

Photo by Beowulf Sheehan

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King Lear Project

Obi Abili plays the Fool

The Bronx Museum of the Arts / 2019

Photo by Beowulf Sheehan

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King Lear Project

Peter Francis James plays Albany

The Bronx Museum of the Arts / 2019

Photo by Beowulf Sheehan

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King Lear Project

Juliana Francis Kelly plays Goneril

The Bronx Museum of The Arts / 2019

Photo by Beowulf Sheehan

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King Lear Project

James Earl Jones plays King Lear

The Bronx Museum of The Arts / 2019

Photo by Beowulf Sheehan

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King Lear Project

Marjolaine Goldsmith as Cordelia

Edie Windsor SAGE Center / 2019

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King Lear Project

Cynthia Nixon as King Lear, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams as the Fool

Edie Windsor SAGE Center / 2019

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King Lear Project

Harris Yulin as Lear

Carroll Gardens Branch - Brooklyn Public Library / 2019

Obi Abili plays the fool, Marjolaine Goldsmith plays Cordelia.

photo by Gregg Richards

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King Lear Project

Obi Abili plays the fool

Carroll Gardens Branch - Brooklyn Public Library / 2019

photo by Gregg Richards

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King Lear Project

The Audience at the King Lear Project

Carroll Gardens Branch - Brooklyn Public Library / 2019

photo by Gregg Richards

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King Lear Project

Juliana Francis Kelly as Goneril

Carroll Gardens Branch - Brooklyn Public Library / 2019

photo by Gregg Richards

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King Lear Project

Tesa Arozqueta, Director of Outreach

Carroll Gardens Branch - Brooklyn Public Library / 2019

Tesa Arozqueta, Director of Outreach for the Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence speaks from the audience of the King Lear Project.

photo by Gregg Richards

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King Lear Project

Painting by Wyckoff Senior Center

Wyckoff Senior Center / 2019

We were so honored that in advance of our performance of The King Lear Project, the Wyckoff Senior Center Art Class collectively worked on a painting inspired by the play. To open the event, the Wyckoff choir performed "Lean on Me".

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