NEWS
“The Winter’s Tale” Receives Glowing Review
William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” is a winner—despite the winter’s crippling deluge.
Davidson Community Players opened the 2026 season with an all-time Shakespeare favorite—“The Winter’s Tale.” A superb, seasoned cast, many performing for the first time on the Armour Street boards, played to a sold-out audience opening night. After another full-house production the following night, all hell broke loose in the weather. Poured down would be a more appropriate term.
The skies spread open to deliver an historic thick layer of ice, followed by a picturesque nine-inch accumulation of soft white snow paralyzing movement around the town and dimming the lights upon the beautiful, scenic blue stage designed by “The Winter’s Tale” director, Chester Shepherd. Pity. Too many performances had to be cancelled or postponed.
Brandon Dawson (Leontes) & Rachel Dawson (Hermione). (Sydney Schertz Photography)
Patrons of the sixty-five-year-old company have made it known. They welcome William Shakespeare and flock to fill the seats wherever Davidson Community Players might stage a play written by the Bard, including the Armour Street boards. “The Winter’s Tale” is no exception. I agree. Shakespeare’s work is always a treat!
Jeremy Cartee (Polixenes) and Savannah Deal (Camillo). (Sydney Schertz Photography)
The current production, 'The Winter’s Tale," is delightful! The costumes designed by Kay Shepherd are gorgeous; the sound-effects are excellent and on target; the action is significant, timely, and well-paced; the voices are distinct; and the Shakespearean words are clear. Interesting accent—could it be closer to the sounds once emitted at Stratford-upon-Avon? I’ve heard it said that Shakespearean English might be akin to the language from Appalachia. I liked what I heard and enjoyed the action suggested by the lines. Bravo! Very well done!
Brandon Dawson as Leontes, King of Sicilia, and Rachel Dawson as Hermione, the Queen, are magnificent together. They blend and banter, love, cry, hate, laugh, and despair outrageously or gracefully, with natural ease. Leontes believes the gossip shared by Camillo, a nobleman played by Savannah Deal, that Hermione has been unfaithful with Polixenes, King of Bohemia, performed by Jeremy Cartee. Leontes, consequently, bans his wife from Sicilia. Years pass by.
Brandon Dawson (Leontes) & George Tracey (Mamillius).(Sydney Schertz Photography)
The only two “veteran” figures seen on Lake Norman stages, including Armour Street Theatre, are Savanah Deal, who performs the role of Camillo and Joanna Gerdy who plays Paulina, a virtuous, courageous, sharp-tongued noblewoman. Their portrayals are impressive and strong.
Other members of the talented cast include Andre Braza who plays Antigonus; Jake McGraw as First Lord; Iesha Nyree as Emilia; Spencer Addison as Gaoler; George Tracy as the boy, Mamillius; and Emma Brand who portrays Servant, Cleomenes, and Perdita. Most of the actors deliver several roles—and they deliver them very well. The Maypole scene is a delight!
Great opener, Davidson Community Players! Too bad you were plagued by ice and snow. I agree with the patrons—keep Shakespeare alive and well in our town.
Although the remaining performances are sold out, there always is the chance for a no-show. Check on the website.
Connie Fisher
Connie Fisher, neé Consuelo Carmona, is a Davidson resident who grew up in Mexico City where she became a journalist and acquired a taste for the theatre. Her preference for work behind the scenes led to an interest in writing reviews—Yale Rep among her favorite troupes. Connie is the author of "Doing it the Right Way," the biography of an Italian hatmaker. Her prose appears with 87 other international writers in "The Widows’ Handbook." An active, founding member of Lake Norman Writers, Connie just released her latest book, "The Mongrel, Bi-cultural Adventures of a Latina-Scandinavian Youth," a memoir about her years growing up in Mexico.