Opera House Arts Opens Shakespeare's Intimate Epic HENRY IV Parts 1 & 2

Performances begin this week for Henry IV, the final production of the Opera House Arts summer 2017 theatre season.

Shakespeare's epic history begins with King Henry IV exhausted by wars fought for his crown. Henry's son and heir, Prince Hal fritters away his days in taverns with this partner in crime, Falstaff. But with the threat of civil war boiling to the surface Hal, Henry and their comrades must decide what it means to be a family, a soldier, and a leader of a nation.

"This is the Opera House's first foray into the rich world of Shakespeare's history plays," says Producing Artistic Director Meg Taintor, who also directs this production, "and for many audiences, that might be daunting. But Henry IV blends the high drama and intrigue of the court with the wild and chaotic humor of the taverns and pubs. By embracing the scope of human interactions - from the most factious and political, to the most touching and humane - Shakespeare illustrates the scope of what we are capable of."

The production is an adaptation of the two plays that make up the original story, collapsing an original seven hours of theatre into a single three-hour evening. Six actors plays more than 30 characters, and the evening is a laced with live music, combat, and dance.

Henry IV runs from August 17 - 27 at the Stonington Opera House, with performances Thursday - Sunday each week. Tickets are $25-$40 and may be purchased online at www.operahousearts.org or by calling 207.367-2788. Theatre memberships, under 17, and group discounts are available. Deer Isle students may attend all Opera House Arts productions for free.

HENRY IV Performance Schedule

Thursday, August 17 7pm Press Performance
Friday, August 18 7pm
Saturday, August 19 7pm
Sunday, August 20 4pm

Thursday, August 24 7pm
Friday, August 25 7pm
Saturday, August 26 7pm
Sunday, August 27 4pm

Creative Credits:

Written by William Shakespeare
Adapted and Directed by Meg Taintor

Cast:
Jenifer Deal - King Henry
Zillah Glory* - Worcester
Matt Hurley* - Prince Hal
Curt Klump - Falstaff
Esther Williamson* - Hotspur
Jordan Palmer - Ensemble

Creative Team:
Robin Vest - Set Designer
Julia Sears - Fight & Movement Director
Jordan Palmer - Music Director
Brian J. Lilienthal - Light Designer
Chelsea Kerl - Costume Designer
Ariane Van Buren - Assistant Director
Lindy Lofton* - Stage Manager

* Denotes member of Actors Equity Association

About Opera House Arts Summer 2017 Theatre Season

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." ~ E.E. Cummings

Opera House Arts Summer 2017 Theatre Season, which runs from June 29-August 27, features three full productions, including a timeless classic of the American stage (The Glass Menagerie, June 29-July 9), a beloved musical for the whole family (The Fantasticks, July 20-30), and an epic evening of Shakespeare (Henry IV, August 17-27). Threaded through these diverse shows is a question about what it means to become a grown-up: what do we lose, and more importantly, what do we gain in those moments when we step away from the shelter of childhood and take control of our own lives?

In a season packed with music and laughter, dance and clowning, love and loss, the Opera House welcomes audience of all ages to explore and grow.

About Opera House Arts

Opera House Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was originally established to restore the historic Stonington Opera House, on the National Register of Historic Places, to its original role as a center for performance and a community gathering space. Now in its 17th year, OHA produces live theatre, music and dance in both the Stonington Opera House, and on our Second Stage, the restored Burnt Cove Church Community Center.

Opera House Arts' high quality, original, professional performance programs serve all of Hancock County's winter and summer residents and visitors, of all ages, with special emphasis on the residents and students of Deer Isle and the Blue Hill Peninsula. We offer a full year-round schedule of professional theatre, film, educational programs, digital media, concerts, and community events.

OHA is an unique organization. Many of our audiences know us as a professional theatre presenting plays, concerts and family programming in the summer - and indeed we are that, but we are also so much more. As soon as the calendar turns the page from August to September, we dive back into the other half of our identity: as a civic gathering space rooted in the belief that access to and participation in the arts contain transformational potential.

Photo credit: Jeffrey Klofft