King Lear
Overview
In 2019, Pedro made his Broadway debut as Edmund in a revival of King Lear by William Shakespeare. The production starred Glenda Jackson in the title role and was directed by Sam Gold, running at the Cort Theatre in New York City.
This bold, modern staging featured a gender-blind cast and a stripped-down approach to Shakespeare’s tragedy, placing a strong focus on language, character, and performance. At the center of the story is Edmund, the cunning and ambitious illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester.
Pedro brought a sharp, magnetic presence to the role, capturing Edmund’s intelligence, resentment, and calculated manipulation with a performance that balanced charisma and cruelty.
Production Details
• Play: King Lear by William Shakespeare
• Role: Edmund
• Theater: Cort Theatre, New York, NY
• Year: 2019
• Director: Sam Gold
• Starring: Glenda Jackson as King Lear
Role & Story
Edmund is one of Shakespeare’s most complex villains, driven by a desire to rise above the limitations placed on him as an illegitimate son. Rejecting the social order that excludes him, he sets into motion a series of betrayals that unravel both his family and the kingdom.
Through manipulation, deceit, and calculated ambition, Edmund plays a central role in the tragedy’s descent into chaos. Pedro’s portrayal leaned into both the character’s sharp wit and underlying vulnerability, making his rise and eventual fall all the more compelling.
Critical Response
The production of King Lear sparked a wide range of critical responses, with particular attention given to the performances within the ensemble. Pedro’s portrayal of Edmund was frequently noted for its command of language and evolving intensity.
DC Theater Arts described Pedro as “consummately skilled in the Shakespearean style,” highlighting his “fluid and flawless delivery of the text.” His performance was noted for its range, shifting from sarcastic and playful to “fiercely diabolical and menacing,” before revealing moments of reflection.
Other reviews pointed to Edmund’s central role in the production’s shifting dynamics, emphasizing his influence within the relationships and power struggles that drive the story. Pedro’s performance brought a sharp, modern edge to the character’s ambition and manipulation.
While the production itself received mixed reactions, critics consistently recognized the strength of the cast. Pedro’s Edmund stood out as a compelling presence, capturing both the intelligence and emotional undercurrents of one of Shakespeare’s most complex villains.
Context
This production marked a major milestone in Pedro’s career as his Broadway debut. Coming after years of dedicated stage work, it represented a full-circle moment, bringing him to one of the most prominent theatrical stages in the world.
His performance in King Lear further demonstrated the range and depth he developed through theater, carrying those skills into his later work on screen.
Related Links
• DC Theater Arts Review
https://dctheaterarts.org/2019/04/07/review-king-lear-at-the-cort-theatre/
• Talkin’ Broadway Review
https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/world/KingLear2019.html
• Digital Journal Review
https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/review-glenda-jackson-mesmerizes-as-king-lear-on-broadway/article/549676
• The New Yorker Review
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/15/sam-golds-self-serving-vision-of-king-lear