Cincinnati Shakespeare to Stage HENRY V, 5/8-30

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company continues its season and multi-year history cycle with "Henry V" by William Shakespeare. This production is directed by CSC Producing Artistic Director, Brian Isaac Phillips. This production features Cincinnati Shakespeare's Resident Ensemble members including Justin McCombs as he returns to the stage to continue the journey of Henry V that he started as Prince Hal last season. Additionally, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's production of "Henry V" is part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

The prodigal Prince Hal has cast off the unruly ways and unruly companions of his youth, and has ascended to the throne of England. But the civil wars that allowed his father, Henry IV, to ascend to the throne, have taken their toll. The country is bankrupt, and civil unrest bubbles just under the surface, threatening to erupt again. In order to refill the royal coffers and unify the country against a common enemy, the young King Henry sets his sights on the conquest of France. But his fervent army of nobles and commoners soon find themselves in hostile territory, surrounded and woefully outnumbered. At the center of Shakespeare's history cycle, and featuring some of the most powerful oratory in the canon, "Henry V" tells the unforgettable tale of those few, those happy few, that band of brothers who stood up against overwhelming odds to fight for God, King and Country.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's production of "Henry V" is part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is one of 40 professional theater companies selected to participate in bringing the finest productions of Shakespeare to middle- and high-school students in communities across the United States. This is the twelfth year of this national program, the largest tour of Shakespeare in American history. This additional funding has allowed Cincinnati Shakespeare Company to welcome 100s more students at no or low cost to experience "Henry V" during the school day or at evening performances alongside of extra educational activities made available by CSC.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is only the 2nd theater company in the United States to present Shakespeare's 8 play history cycle in chronological order. The 2013 production of "Richard II" began this multi-season history cycle at Cincinnati Shakespeare and was followed by 2014's "Henry IV: Part 1 & 2". Then, following this production of "Henry V" is next season's recently announced "Henry VI, Pt. 1". The cycle will conclude with "Richard III".

Performances of "Henry V" are scheduled from May 8-30, 2015 on Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm with an additional Saturday matinee on May 30. Preview performances are on Wednesday May 6 and Thursday May 7 at 7:30pm and tickets are $21. The theater is located at 719 Race Street, downtown Cincinnati, two blocks west of the Aronoff Center.

Single ticket prices range from $22-$32 on Thursdays and Sundays and from $26-$36 on Fridays and Saturdays. This show is a part of the 2014-2015 subscription season. There is a free pre-show presentation on Thursdays about this production that begins at 7pm (preview excluded). If available, $14 student rush tickets may be purchased 30 minutes before a show with a valid student ID. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Ticketing fees may apply. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups as well as AAA members. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at www.cincyshakes.com.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for audiences of all ages. Located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, CSC produces a dozen mainstage productions each season. The repertoire is made up of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations and contemporary classics. CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with Actors' Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of the Theater Communications Group and the Shakespeare Theater Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's Education and Outreach Programs reached nearly 30,000 young people and underserved community members last season by taking Shakespeare into schools, parks, community centers and by hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions at its home on Race Street. Last season, CSC was proud to become one of the first five theaters in the United States to "Complete the Canon" by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. CSC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to be Cincinnati's stage for the classics!

Pictured: Justin McCombs as Henry V in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's upcoming 2015 production of William Shakespeare's "Henry V", photo by J. Sheldon Photo.

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