Photo Flash: First Look at Actors' Shakespeare Project's HENRY VIII

Actors' Shakespeare Project (ASP) continues its 10th Anniversary Season with Henry VIII, William Shakespeare's final history play and the ultimate tale of colliding politics, religion, lust, and palace intrigue. Directed by Tina Packer, this seldom-produced work comes to life onstage now through January 5, 2014 at The Modern Theatre at Suffolk University, 525 Washington Street, Boston. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Four hundred years after its premiere, the era and personalities of Henry VIII remain firmly in the public's imagination-a story so explosive it literally set fire to The Globe Theatre in 1613- and as fodder for pop culture interpretations, such as Showtime's "The Tudors". Through brilliant language, the Bard takes audiences back to the religiously tinged conflict between King Henry VIII (Allyn Burrows) and the Roman Church, showing the struggle for dominance from the King's perspective. After years of marriage to his brother's widow, Henry begins to suspect his union with Katherine of Aragon (Tamara Hickey) isn't as holy as he once believed. Is honest doubt driving his change of heart, or is his burgeoning love for the alluring Anne Boleyn (Kathryn Myles) truly to blame?

The cast features Resident Acting Company members Henry VIII (Allyn Burrows), Gardiner, 1st Gentleman (Johnnie McQuarley), Prologue and Epilogue, Abergevanny, Sands, 2nd Gentleman, Old Lady, Patience, Capucius (Bobbie Steinbach), Cardinal Wolsey (Robert Walsh) and Duke of Norfolk (Michael Forden Walker). Additional cast includes Queen Katherine (Tamara Hickey), Anne Boleyn (Kathryn Myles), Lovell, Cranmer, Surveyor (Ross MacDonald), Duke of Buckingham, Campeius, Dr. Butts (Craig Mathers*), and Chamberlain (Omar Robinson).

The creative team includes Tina Packer (Director), Steven Barkhimer and Brooke Hardman (Co-Associate Directors), Janie E. Howland (Scenic Designer), Daniel H. Jentzen (Lighting Designer) Tyler Kinney (Costume & Mask Designer), Susan Dibble (Choreographer), Steven Deptula (Sound Designer), Karen Kopryanski (Vocal Coach) and Alex Sovronsky (Composer/Music Performer).

Performances are Wednesday December 11 at 7:30pm, Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 3pm & 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $15 (student rush) - $50. . Student matinees are at 10am on Wednesday, December 18 and Thursday, December 19. Please visit www.actorsshakespeareproject.org/group-sales for discounted prices and performance calendar. Post performance talkbacks are held following all student and Sunday matinees.

Photo Credit: Stratton McCrady