Cleveland State University's Theatre and Dance season will open its Fall 2025 season with The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare, directed and adapted by Toby Vera Bercovici. The production uses movement, original music and puppetry to explore the emotional depths of one of Shakespeare's most imaginative works.

"This is a dense and magical play, one which asks us to suspend our disbelief - to allow magic and practical explanation to live side by side, and to travel the nuanced emotional journey of jealousy, anger, love and forgiveness, while simultaneously delighting in the sudden appearance of a predatory animal, a shape-shifting trickster or a work of art brought to life," Bercovici said. "This tale, best for Winter, is ei blot tyl list, meaning ‘not just for pleasure.’ But it is at least partially for pleasure."

Performances will be held Nov. 6–9, 2025, in the Allen Theatre Mainstage at Playhouse Square. Showtimes are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Tickets, priced from $5 to $20, are on sale and can be purchased at playhousesquare.org, by calling 216-241-6000 or in person at the State Theatre Ticket Office, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Walk-up tickets are also available one hour before showtime at the Allen Theatre Complex. Visit csuohio.edu/theatredance for more details.