Sweet Tea Shakespeare and Honest Pint Theatre Company present “King Lear” Sept. 28–30 at 7:30 p.m. at Seabrook Auditorium on the campus of Fayetteville State University.    

“The play is considered to be one of Shakespeare’s masterpieces, and it is a long play with a really challenging role of King Lear,” Jeremy Fiebig, artistic director of Sweet Tea Shakespeare and director of “King Lear,” said. “Some people consider it the Mount Everest of Shakespeare’s work in terms of a role to be performed.”

Fiebig added they have partnered with a company out of Raleigh called Honest Pint Theatre. He met with the artistic director and discussed an eager actor who wanted to play the lead.

“King Lear” is a Shakespearean tragedy in which the king decides to retire and divide his kingdom among his three daughters. Two of his daughters go along with the plan, and one does not. “King Lear becomes more insane as the play goes on and his daughters engage in war — and the play attracts all of that,” Fiebig said. “King Lear will be an indoor performance, but we are bringing the outdoors inside with it, so there will be a picnic table, a grass patch, trees and lighting that really invites us to think about what the outdoors is like.” 

Sweet Tea Shakespeare was founded in Fayetteville in 2012. The group sees opportunity for humor in tragedies, and the result is a production that will scratch a lot of different kinds of itches regarding what audience members will see. Sweet Tea Shakespeare performs throughout the year with a mix of indoor and outdoor performances.

“We present classic plays throughout the year in Fayetteville, and we travel to Raleigh,” Fiebig said. “We have a series that goes to local craft breweries, vineyards and bars that does that sort of irreverent take on Shakespeare as well.”

Fiebig added that the group has a house band. So, when there is a show, it is wrapped in music. Audiences are welcome to come 45 minutes before the show to enjoy the music. There is also music during intermission and throughout the play.

Ticket cost is $15 for the general public, $13 for seniors and military and $8 for students and kids 6-12 years of age. Tickets available at www.sweetteashakespeare.com and www. honestpinttheatre.org.