The Winter's Tale

Though the timing couldn’t be more appropriate, this is one of Shakespeare's more problematic plays. It’s a comedy in which the first three acts are less characterized by humor than deep psychological probings — that jealous King Leontes is one messed-up dude — and it’s all ultimately tied up with a happy ending. Then there’s all the controversy about when the play was actually written. Scholars apparently debated for years as to whether it was one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays or one of his last. No matter. Actors’ Shakespeare Project has garnered the reputation of bringing tremendous energy and insight to everything it produces, so this one’s well worth checking out. Curt Tofteland (‘‘Shakespeare Behind Bars’’) directs.

KAREN CAMPBELL