KING LEAR

Directed by Michael Socrates Moran
Music composed by Paul Dresher

September 25, 2026-October 11, 2026

Oakland Theater Project and New Performance Traditions are thrilled to present their most ambitious co-production to date: a bold staging of William Shakespeare’s epic tragedy King Lear, featuring a cast of 30 and an original score composed by Paul Dresher and performed live by the Dresher|Davel Invented Instrument Duo

Directed by OTP Executive Artistic Director Michael Socrates Moran, the production stars J Jha—described by the San Francisco Chronicle as “a fearless actor whose every performance seems to straddle the line between ecstasy and madness”—as Lear. Jha previously appeared in OTP’s Angels in America and Mahābhārata. The cast also features renowned performer, singer, and writer Rinde Eckert (Ghost Quartet) as the Fool, Dean Linnard as Edmund, Sarah Kasuga as Goneril, Natalie Pasquinelli as Regan, and Dina Zarif as Cordelia.

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?

TICKETS
Tickets are purchased through the
Z Space Box Office.

PRIORITY TICKET: $100 :: SELECT TICKET: $70
STANDARD TICKET: $40 – General Admission :: $20 – Pay-what-you-can 20 :: $10 – Pay-what-you-can 10

Local Drinks and Dining

Being located in San Francisco’s Mission district, Z Space is in the heart of one the nation’s premier culinary and nightlife neighborhoods. The neighborhood features delicious corner taquerias, the latest in innovative fusion pop-ups, fine four-star cuisine and pretty much everything in between.
Here some recommendations >>>

King Lear: The Dramaturg’s Lens with Dr. Philippa Kelly

Want to explore King Lear more deeply before experiencing it onstage?

Join Oakland Theater Project Resident Dramaturg Dr. Philippa Kelly for The Dramaturg’s Lens, a four-week course examining Shakespeare’s great tragedy, its enduring and highly contemporary themes, and the role of music in the upcoming production.

The course includes conversations with composer Paul Dresher, who is composing an original score for the production and playing live with Joel Davel on September 28, and actors J Jha, Rinde Eckert, and Dean Linnard.

Classes begin September 14 with an in-person gathering, repeated on Zoom the following day for those who cannot attend the gathering. Thereafter, the course runs online on Mondays at 4 p.m. It is suitable for all ages and levels of theatrical knowledge.

More information >>>

Rehearsal Photos

Photos by Ben Krantz Studio

Some rehearsal moments with Michael Moran, Maria Seiple, Amelia Costales-Downey, Dean Linnard, J Jha, RInde Eckert, Sarah-Kasuga, Dean Linnard, Maria Seiple, and Ma’Sherrod -Swinson (Photo by Ben Krantz Studio)