Theatre@First Presents HENRY THE 4TH, 8/21-30

Theatre@First's Henry the 4th combines two of Shakespeare's greatest history plays-and a feisty female Falstaff--into one thrilling night of theatre at Unity Somerville on August 21-30.

After seizing the English throne, King Henry IV rebuilds the kingdom and despairs over his heir's dissipated life in the London slums. Prince Hal spends his time carousing with the bawdy Joan Falstaff and her gang of thieves and misfits, but he is far more than the scoundrel he seems. When the king's former allies rebel against him, Hal plans to redeem himself in his father's eyes. By facing Hotspur, the rebel leader, Hal at last has a chance to prove himself!

Starring Melissa Ehlers as Dame Joan Falstaff, the cast of talented local actors features exciting newcomers and familiar Theatre@First faces including Mike Haddad as King Henry, Jared Hite as Prince Hal, Ari Herbstman as the rebel Hotspur, Renée Johnson as Mistress Quickly and Andrea Aptecker as Lady Northumberland.

Director Shelley MacAskill continues to explore the gender and scope of Henry IV after adapting and directing an all-female one-act version for Festival@First: Shaken-Up Shakespeare in 2010. She has worked with Theatre@First since 2007 as producer, designer, or crew for numerous productions.

Since its founding in 2003, Theatre@First has become Somerville's community theatre, filling a vital niche in the thriving Davis Square arts scene and drawing on the talents and support of local individuals and organizations.

For tickets and more information about Henry the 4th and Theatre@First, visit theatreatfirst.org.