2026 Utah Shakespeare Festival

“I’d rather see Shakespeare in Cedar City than in Stratford, England. My experiences have been better there. This is a professional theatre rated among the top three Shakespeare festivals in North America.”     – Dr. S Michael Wilcox

Michael has seen all of the plays offered each summer for over 20 years. No matter how busy he is, he finds time to experience Cedar City’s Shakespeare Festival. Everyone, even if you question your love of Shakespeare, will absolutely love this festival. It has 4 Shakespeare plays and 2 other comedies, or Broadway-type plays. Michael helps all of us understand each of Shakespeare’s plays by explaining the story and the characters before we go to each Shakespeare play. Knowing the story will make Shakespeare more enjoyable for everyone. Each day you will enjoy 2 wonderful plays.

Here is the fantastic line-up of plays for 2026

THE ENGELSTAD SHAKESPEARE THEATRE

TROILUS AND CRESSIDA – by William Shakespeare
Discover the rarely-performed Troilus and Cressida, Shakespeare’s daring tale of love and betrayal amid the chaos of the Trojan War. Troilus, a noble Trojan prince, falls deeply for the bewitching Cressida. Their passionate romance is tested when Cressida is traded to the Greek camp and forced into a relationship with another man. As war rages and loyalties shift, their love unravels. Darkly witty and emotionally charged, this play reveals the tragic cost of power, passion, and survival.
HAMLET – by William Shakespeare
Prince Hamlet seeks truth—and vengeance. Haunted by his father’s death and disillusioned by a corrupt court, he struggles with doubt, and the weight of his own inaction. As he plots revenge against his uncle, now king, Hamlet spirals deeper into isolation and existential crisis. Written at the height of Shakespeare’s genius, Hamlet is a gripping exploration of conscience, power, and the complexities of the human mind—Shakespeare’s most haunting and psychologically rich tragedy.
TWELFTH NIGHT – by William Shakespeare
In Twelfth Night, love is anything but simple. Duke Orsino pines for Olivia, who falls for Cesario—unaware that “he” is actually Viola in disguise, and Viola secretly loves Orsino. Malvolio dreams of romance and status, and Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Maria stir up mischief and revelry. Full of mistaken identities, unrequited affections, and witty banter, this beloved comedy proves that love often finds us when—and where—we least expect it.

THE RANDALL L. JONES THEATRE

SOMETHING ROTTEN! – Music and Lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick
Something Rotten! is a hilarious, high-energy musical that reimagines Shakespeare’s world with a modern twist. Set in the Renaissance, it follows struggling playwrights Nick and Nigel Bottom, who try to outshine wildly popular William Shakespeare by creating the world’s first musical. Packed with show-stopping numbers, outrageous comedy, and clever nods to Broadway and the Bard, Something Rotten! is a joyful celebration of creativity, ambition, and the absurdity of the theatre world.
SEE HOW THEY RUN – by Philip King
See How They Run is a classic British farce, packed with mistaken identities, unexpected visitors, and nonstop chaos. Set in a quiet English vicarage during WWII, the play spirals into comedic mayhem as a soldier, a German POW, a Russian spy, and multiple clergymen, converge on the house. Written to boost morale during wartime, this fast-paced comedy delivers delightful confusion and absurd fun for audiences of all ages.
SHE LOVES ME – Based on the play by Miklós Lászó
Georg and Amalia are feuding co-workers in a 1930s perfume shop, and each of them are falling in love with their anonymous pen pal. Based on the same play that inspired the films “The Shop Around the Corner” and “You’ve Got Mail”, this charming, heartwarming musical sparkles with witty dialogue, endearing characters, and a beautiful score by Harnick and Bock (Fiddler on the Roof). It’s a delightful feel-good story of second chances and love discovered where you least expect it.

Our BEST Seating!

Before tickets are open to the public to purchase, it is offered to those that contribute money or time to the Shakespeare Festival. Then they allow Fun For Less to purchase our group tickets before they open to the public. This makes it possible for us to get great seating for our group.