Devoting the strengths of its resident acting company,
directors and designers to Shakespeare's greatest epic tale, Trinity
Rep will present “The Henriad, Shakespeare's
Kings: Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V.” The three-play
cycle, performed in rep, runs in rotation from October 5 - December
19 in the intimate seven-row Dowling Theater.
A king's misrule forced decades of struggle for the
crown, while a new leader grew to earn the nation's trust. With a story
and themes which resonate as strongly today as ever before, “The
Henriad” paints a vivid portrait of fathers and sons, succession
and rebellion, and the responsibilities of patriotism and power.
The three productions tell a single epic story, sharing the company
of actors and the set, yet carry the three individual directors' distinct
visions in style and setting - providing another point of intrigue for
the audience. Associate director Kevin Moriarty (“The
Merry Wives of Windsor,” “A Christmas Carol”)
directs “Richard II;” associate artistic director Amanda
Dehnert (“Othello,” “A Moon for the
Misbegotten”) directs “Henry IV,” and artistic
director Oskar Eustis (“The Ruby Sunrise,”
“Copenhagen,” “The Long Christmas Ride Home”)
directs “Henry V.”
Eustis commented, "This is the largest and most exciting project
we've ever undertaken, by the greatest playwright the world has ever
known.” He added, “I have wanted to do these plays for years,
have studied them, watched many productions, worked on individual plays
in the group, and have always been fascinated by the sophistication
and complexity with which Shakespeare examines his true subject - the
nature of leadership. This is an election-year natural: the Fall of
2004 couldn't be a more exciting time to talk about it. The greatest
classics have an astonishing ability to take on the form and pressure
of the time they are performed in, revealing new aspects of themselves
when seen through the prism of the present."
The cast of sixteen includes ten members of Trinity Rep's acclaimed
resident acting company and six third-year MFA students from the Brown/Trinity
Consortium. Actors play multiple roles through the three productions;
audiences can follow performers in many roles which begin in one play
and continue into the next. The company includes Brian McEleney
as Richard II; Timothy Crowe as Bolingbroke/Henry IV;
Stephen Thorne as Prince Hal/Henry V; William
Damkoehler as Northumberland; Mauro Hantman
as Hotspur; Anne Scurria as Gaunt; Angela Brazil
as Richard's Queen; Rachael Warren as Katherine; Fred
Sullivan, Jr., as Falstaff; and Barbara Meek
as Mistress Quickly.
The following special evenings are scheduled:
“Pay What You Can”
Night:
“Richard II:” Tuesday, October 5 at 7 P.M.; PWYC tickets
on sale 6 P.M.
“Henry IV:” Friday, October 8 at 8 P.M.; PWYC tickets on
sale 7 P.M.
“Henry V:” Friday, October 15 at 8 P.M.; PWYC tickets on
sale 7 P.M.
Food for Thought Night:
“Richard II:” Wednesday, October 20
“Henry IV:” Friday, October 22
“Henry V:” Sunday, October 24
College Night:
“Richard II:” Thursday, October 7 at 8 P.M. (6:30 P.M. pre-show
reception)
“Henry IV:” Tuesday, October 12 at 7 P.M. (5:30 P.M. pre-show
reception)
“Henry V:” Sunday, October 17 at 7 P.M. (5:30 P.M. pre-show
reception)
Under 30 Thursdays - Every Thursday,
$15 with valid ID
Humanities Rep:
“Richard II:” Saturday, November 6 at 2 P.M.
“Henry IV:” Saturday, November 27 at 2 P.M.
“Henry V:” Saturday, December 18 at 2 P.M.
ASL-interpreted Performances :
“Richard II:” Sunday, November 14 at 2 P.M.
“Henry IV:” Friday, December 3 at 8 P.M.
“Henry V:” Sunday, December 5 at 2 P.M.
For information and tickets, contact Trinity Rep's
box office at 401-351-4242 or visit www.trinityrep.com.
