Brendan Edward Kennedy

I think the minimalism and starkness is intended to be clarifying; we are meant to be focused on the hearts of the various intertwined stories Shakespeare presents, and perhaps less distracted by other things going on at the very large periphery the playwright has laid out. Whatever the purpose, we find ourselves deeply drawn in, so that by the time all the bodies bestrew the stage at the end, the horror and the catharsis of it all has not only engulfed us – but thrilled us as well.

Forget the Cherry Blossoms, folks, they'll be gone before you know it. Brave Spirits' Histories rep, cultivated, rested and ready, will be where it's at when our theatres re-open. Their a?oeHenry the Fifth,a?? as with all the other plays in the current cycle, is full of surprises and fresh interpretations. It is clear that the Histories Repertory will wrap up a few loose ends, while pointing towards contentions and bloodshed to come.

The final chapter of The King's Shadow is about to begin. Henry the Fifth, opening March 14, 2020, completes the first season in Brave Spirits Theatre's two-year project to stage Shakespeare's eight history plays about the Wars of the Roses. During a tumultuous period of less than a hundred years, England experienced civil war and political upheaval as the throne switched hands nine times. Shakespeare dramatized these events over the course of his career in eight remarkable plays: Richard the Second, Henry the Fourth Part 1, Henry the Fourth Part 2, Henry the Fifth, Henry the Sixth Part 1, Henry the Sixth Part 2, Henry the Sixth Part 3, and Richard the Third. Brave Spirits Theatre is making history by becoming the first professional American theatre company to mount full productions of Shakespeare's two tetralogies and perform them in repertory.

With the mayhem, warfare and epic egos of Henry the Fourth, Part 1 well under their belts, Brave Spirits Theatre now turns its talents towards one of the more challenging history plays in Shakespeare's canon, Henry the Fourth, Part 2. Director Charlene V. Smith continues to find new gems here among the many performers, and there are some moments that truly shine here.

This is the second installment in Charlene V. Smith's four-play repertory project, and judging from the quality of the work here, Washington theatregoers are in for a truly rewarding experience of the Histories, well into April. Brave Spirits is well on their way to one of the more vital repertory seasons inside the Beltway that we have seen in quite some time.

During a tumultuous period of less than a hundred years, England experienced civil war and political upheaval as the throne switched hands nine times. Shakespeare dramatized these events over the course of his career in eight remarkable plays: Richard the Second, Henry the Fourth Part 1, Henry the Fourth Part 2, Henry the Fifth, Henry the Sixth Part 1, Henry the Sixth Part 2, Henry the Sixth Part 3, and Richard the Third. With an ensemble of twenty actors, Brave Spirits Theatre will stage these eight plays over the next two years, culminating in marathon performance weekends during July 2021.

'I like this place, and willingly could waste my time in it.' This line, spoken by Celia (Rebecca Speas) early in As You Like It, is an appropriate way to describe the vibe of Brave Spirits Theatre's new production of Shakespeare's comedy, directed by Jessica Aimone. It's an amiable production of one of the most laid-back plays in the canon, led by a charismatic cast whose chief concern is our entertainment. On that front, it's a success.

Escape to the forest of Arden with a romantic and immersive production of As You Like It. Four charming couples swoon, banter, argue, and fall deeply in love against the background of an original, modern score. This production reunites the team behind our entertaining, touching, and bittersweet production of A Midsummer Night's Dream: director Jessica Aimone and music director and composer Zach Roberts. Join Brave Spirits Theatre for the wedding of the year!

The Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) Free For All, one of the capital's most beloved annual traditions offering free performances of a Shakespearean classic to the general public each summer, will return next month with the Company's 2016 production of William Shakespeare's Othello. Helmed by internationally acclaimed director Ron Daniels and starring screen actor Faran Tahir in the titular role, the production will run at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F St. NW) from August 15-27, offering more than 12,000 people the chance to see the play free of charge.

A dark, tragic, comedy creates a surprsing mix

In keeping with Brave Spirits Theatre's commitment to producing overlooked works from Shakespeare's contemporaries, the company's staging of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher's A KING AND NO KING marks a DC metro area professional premiere. An excellent cast and a modern approach by director Cassie Ash and the creative team make this production worthwhile.

A tale of sadness, fear and proving what a shrew can do.