STONINGTON — Julia Whitworth, founding director of Shakespeare in Stonington, returns to Opera House Arts this week with another original production, “Cymbeline.”

The presentation features an original score by composer and musician Phillip Owen (“Measure for Measure,” “Antony and Cleopatra”), and an 18-foot double revolving stage designed by Ray Neufeld, an installation artist and set designer.

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Opera House Arts’ critic-in-residence Alicia Anstead, center; with scholar Margery Irvine, right, will facilitate two community-wide reads of Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline,” along with two post-show talk-backs, as part of this year’s Shakespeare in Stonington production Thursday through July 28. Courtesy photo

Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline” is based on the legends of the early Celtic king Cunobelinus, and offers a magical and deeply romantic look at what happens when we hold on too tightly to what we love best.

Whitworth’s concept includes a six-person cast, with each cast member doubling many roles. The run includes two community reads of the play. The first will be held July 22 at the Blue Hill Wine Shop. The second reading will be held July 24 in downtown Stonington. There will also be two facilitated talk-backs hosted by national cultural journalist Alicia Anstead on Friday and July 27. The event Friday will feature guest scholar Margery Irvine.

Whitworth is a theater director and Episcopal priest who lives and works in New York City. Co-founder of Shakespeare in Stonington, she has directed “The Tempest,” “Twelfth Night,” “The Winter’s Tale,” “Hamlet,” “The Taming of the Shrew” and “A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream” for Opera House Arts.

Whitworth was ordained in 2010 and currently serves as Minister for Liturgy and the Arts at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City.

Performances will be held from Thursday through July 28.

For more information, show times and ticket prices, go to www.operahousearts.org.

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