Seattle Shakespeare Company to Present Henry IV Parts 1 and 2

This fall Seattle Shakespeare Company offers the rare opportunity to experience both parts of Shakespeare's epic Henry IV.  Shakespeare's Henry IV parts 1 and 2 have been adapted into one emotionally packed drama by Daikin Matthews.  Artistic Director Stephanie Shine directs Henry IV with David Pichette playing King Henry, Tim Gouran as the playboy prince Hal, and Richard Ziman as the funny and complex Falstaff.  With a low-priced preview on October 23, Henry IV opens on Friday, October 24.  The production runs through November 16 at the Center House Theatre at Seattle Center.

Support for Seattle Shakespeare Company's production of Henry IV is provided by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, PONCHO, 4Culture, and 94.9 KUOW.

The adaptation of Henry IV wraps England's civil unrest around a young man's coming of age.  While Prince Hal drinks and carouses with the rogue Falstaff, his father, the King, grapples with rebel wars plaguing his rule.  As father and Falstaff battle for his affections, the playboy prince struggles to mature from wild youth to the heroic King Henry V.

"I love the history plays," says director Stephanie Shine.  "I'd do them all the time if I could get away with it.  But this event and adaptation is very special:  Henry IV examines issues around leadership, honor, rebellion, and the tumultuous road of boyhood into manhood.  Extremely potent subjects right now.  Dakin's lean and muscular adaptation captures many of the key elements from the rarely produced part two and weaves the stories together in a gripping dramatic way. I'm thankful that David and Richard brought it to my attention. This is a terrific opportunity for our audiences to discover this story in its entirety"

Actor, playwright, director and theatre scholar, Dakin Matthews has had a 30-love affair with the Henry IV epic, treating it like a living work in progress.  He won a Drama Desk Award for his adaptation of Henry IV, produced by Lincoln Center Theater.  He has dramaturged Shakespeare for Tony winners Jack O'Brien, Daniel Sullivan, and John Rando, and published four award-winning translations of classical Spanish plays.  His verse play The Prince of L.A. won the World Premiere Ted Schmitt Award from the L.A. Theatre Critics Circle.  As an actor, he has specialized in Shakespearean roles, including Falstaff, Bottom, King Lear, Richard III, Brutus, Shylock, and Polonius.  He is currently on Broadway, playing Wolsey in A Man For All Seasons.  He has appeared in over 20 films and 200 TV shows, recurring recently on Desperate Housewives, The King of Queens, and Gilmore Girls.

The cast of Henry IV features Patrick Allcorn (Douglas/Westmoreland), Shawn Belyea (Glendower/Warrick/Archbishop), Keith Dahlgren (Northumberland/Bardolph), Alycia Delmore (Lady Percy/Doll Tearsheet), Ben Gonio (Hotspur/Silence), Tim Gouran (Prince Hal), Leticia Jaramillo (Mistress Quickly), David Anthony Lewis (Worcester), Jon Lutyens (Poins/Vernon), Brandon Petty(Prince John/Nym /Mortimer), David Pichette (King Henry/Shallow), Sean Shannon (Hastings/Francis), Brian Claudio Smith (Pistol/Blunt), Allison Michelle Standley (Lady Mortimer/Davy), and Richard Ziman (Falstaff).

Set and costume design for Henry IV is by Pete Rush, with lighting design by Tim Wratten and sound design by M. Elizabeth Eller.

Performances of Henry IV are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 2:00 pm (June 14 and 21) and Sundays at 2:00 pm.  There will be Sunday evening performances at 7:30pm on November 2 and 9.

Special "Shakespeariences" will be offered in conjunction with Henry IV including: "Jumpstart into Henry IV" a facilitated introduction to the play (Oct 30 at 6PM - $10) and post play discussions on selected performances.

Tickets to performances of Henry IV are now on sale and range from $30-$36 for adults and $22-$25 for seniors and students.   Pay-What-You-Will previews are on October 21 and 22 at 7:30 PM.  Discounted tickets are available for groups of ten or more.

For ticket reservations, call the Seattle Shakespeare Company box office (206) 733-8222 or go online at www.seattleshakespeare.org.   Regular box office hours are Tuesday through Friday 1:00-6:00 PM.  During performance weeks, in addition to regular hours, the box office opens Saturdays 1:00-6:00 PM and Sundays 12noon to 4:00 PM. Seattle Shakespeare Company performs at the Center House Theatre at Seattle Center.

Seattle Shakespeare Company is the Puget Sound region's only year-round professional, classical theatre dedicated to producing the work of Shakespeare.  The Company's growing success stems from a deep belief in the power and vibrancy of Shakespeare's words and ideas along with a commitment to artistic excellence on the stage.  The results have been provocative performances that both challenge and delight audiences while fostering an appreciation for the greatest playwright the world has ever known.

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