Oak Park Festival Theatre Presents Henry V 7/14-8/20

Oak Park Festival Theatre presents Shakespeare's Henry V, directed by Kevin Theis, to be performed in Austin Gardens in the 100 block of N. Forest Ave. in downtown Oak Park, IL. Henry V previews July 14 and 15, and runs July 16 to August 20. Performances are at 8:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 7:00 on Sundays. There will be a Wednesday performance on August 17 and 6:00 performances on July 24 and August 7 in conjunction with Family Days. Members of the press are invited to attend on Saturday, July 16 at 8:00 p.m.

In Henry V, the formerly roguish Prince Hal has now become Henry the Fifth, King of England. Immediately upon taking the throne, Henry is urged to quell a rebellion abroad and sets out to defend his dominions on the "vasty fields of France." Filled with political intrigue, fierce battles, and some of Shakespeare's most soaring and beautiful language, Henry V stands as one of the most profound and personal meditations on the weight of power ever written.

Kevin Theis has directed four previous productions for Festival Theatre - Picnic, Robin Hood, Cyrano de Bergerac, and the touring company's production of Shakespeare: Scenes, Sonnets and Songs. As a performer, he has appeared in a number of OPFT shows, most recently as Frank in Faith Healer, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, and George in Of Mice and Men. Other directing credits include last summer's Michigan Shakespeare Festival production of Comedy of Errors, as well as productions at Lifeline Theatre, City Lit, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, CT20 Ensemble, and Seanachai Theatre, where he is an ensemble member. Theis has been nominated for three Joseph Jefferson awards for his directing work.

Theis says about this play, "Henry V remains one of literature's most profound and complex meditations on both the horror and the unfortunate necessity of war. Inspiring, heartbreaking, ruthless, and uplifting, this play showcases everything that a patriot and a warrior can represent."

The cast of 21 is led by Dennis Grimes as King Henry, Belinda Bremner as the Chorus, Aaron Christensen as Pistol, and OPFT artistic director Jack Hickey as Fluellen.

Dennis Grimes was last seen on the OPFT stage as Gerry Evans in Dancing at Lughnasa. Chicago credits include Goodman, Northlight, Next, TimeLine, Strawdog, Provision, and regionally for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Television credits include guest starring role Tommy Devlin on ABC's Detroit 187.

Belinda Bremner's directorial work for OPFT includes Dancing at Lughnasa, Of Mice and Men, and Faith Healer. A Jefferson Award winning actor and founding member of both ShawChicago and the Body Politic Ensemble, she worked with the Goodman, Court, Northlight, and Stories on Stage. She has not, however, been seen on stage in Chicago in a full production since The Body Politic's final production, Fashion, in 1992. She has been associated with royalty before when she was Queen Katherine of Aragon at the Chicago Humanities Festival's mock divorce trial of The Tudors ... and was awarded the entire country.

Aaron Christensen last appeared at OPFT in Twelfth Night. In addition to Chicago stage credits with Remy Bumppo, First Folio, Steppenwolf, Next, Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Bailiwick, and Timeline, Aaron (aka "Dr. AC") is the editor of the Rondo-nominated creature feature guidebook, HORROR 101.

Artistic Director Jack Hickey is playing Falstaff in OPFT's first summer show, The History of King Henry the Fourth. He was last seen on the OPFT stage as Teddy in the widely acclaimed production of Faith Healer. In addition to his many directing credits with OPFT, he has also been seen on the Festival Theatre stage as the title character in Cyrano de Begerac; Charles Condomine in Blithe Spirit; Howard Bevins in Picnic; Touchstone in As You Like It; John Douglas in Murder by the Book; Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet; and Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The set is designed by Aimee Hanyzewski (Jeff nominated for her Of Mice and Men set in 2010), with lighting by Sara Gorsky, costumes by Lindsay Schmeling, properties design by Andrew Hildner, and sound by Joseph Fosco. Fight choreography is by Geoff Coates. Robert W. Behr stage manages.

Henry V runs July 14 through August 20 in Austin Gardens in the 100 block of N. Forest Ave. in Oak Park. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 7:00 p.m. On Sundays July 24 and August 7, the performance will be at 6:00 p.m. in connection with OPFT's Family Day activities (see below). There will be a Wednesday performance at 8:00 p.m. on August 17. Please see OakParkFestival.com for the complete show schedule and to purchase tickets. Ticket prices are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. On Friday, July 22 and Wednesday, August 17, students and seniors pay only $10 with ID. Tickets may be also purchased by calling the box office at 708-445-4440 or by e-mailing Tickets@OakParkFestival.com.

On Sundays, July 24 and August 7, OPFT will present Family Days, with Shakespearian and Medieval fun for the entire family. Starting at 4:30 on each of these days, there will be crafts, performances, stage combat demonstrations, and other activities relating to the mainstage plays, with a 6:00 performance of the play, preceded by a kid-friendly synopsis given by one of the characters in the play. Tickets for Family Day, including all activities and the full performance, are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Suitable for kids 6 to 16.

Oak Park Festival Theatre-Oak Park's only Equity theatre and the Midwest's oldest professional theatre performing the classics outdoors-is proud to present its 37th year of theatrical excellence and to provide Chicagoland with the greatest classical plays ever written. Since 1975, the greatest playwrights have illumined our stage and enlightened our audiences. More information on Oak Park Festival Theatre is available at OakParkFestival.com or by calling 708-445-4440.

To post a comment, you must register and login.