Photo Flash: First Look at Cincinnati Shakespeare's HENRY IV: PARTS 1 & 2

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati's stage for the classics, is proud to present William Shakespeare's "Henry IV: Part 1 & 2", playing now through April 19, 2014. This production is directed by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips and features CSC Resident Ensemble Members Jim Hopkins, Justin McCombs and Matthew Lewis Johnson. Scroll down to check out some photos from the production!

"Henry IV" features an incredible mix of exhilarating battles, boisterous comedy and heart-wrenching emotion. After usurping the throne from King Richard II (Brent Vimtrup), King Henry IV (Jim Hopkins) finds he has inherited a country in chaos. Rebellions abound, lines are being drawn and one false step could plunge the country into civil war. To make matters worse, his son Hal (Justin McCombs) is now heir to the throne but has forsaken his duties at court and taken up with a band of brigands under the charge of that notorious drunkard and pot-bellied prankster, Sir John Falstaff (Matthew Lewis Johnson), one of Shakespeare's most hilarious characters!

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is only the 2nd theater company in the United States to present Shakespeare's 8 play history cycle in chronological order. Last season's "Richard II" began this multi-season history cycle at Cincinnati Shakespeare that includes this upcoming production of "Henry IV: Part 1 & 2" as well as next season's recently announced "Henry V". The cycle concludes with "Henry VI: Parts 1, 2 & 3" and "Richard III" which CSC will present in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips has noted that "as the company has produced Shakespeare's less familiar works, like the wildly popular "Henry VIII: All is True" and "The Life and Death of King John", audiences and artists alike have discovered something wonderful in each play that expands their appreciation of Shakespeare's artistry and skill.

"Performances of "Henry IV: Parts 1 & 2" are scheduled from now through April 19, 2014 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. There will be no show on Easter Sunday April 20, so a performance has been added for Saturday April 19 at 2pm. The theater is located at 719 Race Street, downtown Cincinnati, two blocks west of the Aronoff Center. Single ticket prices range from $22-$31 on Thursdays and Sundays and from $26-$35 on Fridays and Saturdays. If available, $14 student rush tickets may be purchased 30 minutes before a show with a valid student ID. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Ticketing fees may apply. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups as well as Enjoy the Arts and AAA members. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at www.cincyshakes.com.

Performances on Thursday feature a pre-show presentation about the production and performances on Sundays feature a Q&A with the cast following the show. Both are free and included in the ticket.

Photo Credit: Rich Sofranko