(Radio Play, Fertile Ground Festival, 2021) in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale (1610), King Leontes of Sicilia puts his wife Hermione on public trial because he believes she’s having an affair with his best friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia. His accusation is baseless, and by the time the trial is over, Leontes is responsible for the death of his son Mamillius, the banishment of his infant daughter Perdita (left unattended to perish in the wilderness), Hermione’s presumed demise, and the death by bear mauling of his friend Antigonus. Unbeknownst to Leontes, Hermione and Perdita live. Perdita is found and raised by shepherds in Bohemia, and Hermione’s friend Paulina sequesters her for 16 years until Perdita can safely return to Sicily. Madonna of the Cat is an audio version of a workshop reading that imagines what happens during those 16 years.

Stageplay: Sue Mach

Direction: Jane Unger

Performers: Grace Carter, Jacklyn Maddux, Luisa Sermol, Agatha Olson, Bruce Burkhartsmeier, and Brian Meyers.

Sound Design: Jim Brunberg