Photos: First Look at Quintessence Theatre's RICHARD II

Quintessence Theatre Group launches its fifth season of progressive classic theatre with an all-male Shakespeare repertory: AS YOU LIKE IT presented in rotating repertory with RICHARD II. Bringing together the best professional actors and designers from Philadelphia and across the country, Artistic Director Alexander Burns leads this collective of artists on a mission to ignite the classics through visceral, actor-focused and text-driven productions. RICHARD II opened on Saturday, October 18. All performances are at the Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave in Mt Airy, Philadelphia, PA. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The usurpation and regicide of the poet King Richard II begins a hundred year cycle of uncertainty and violence in England. The political thriller you have never seen... Led by actors James Patrick Davis as Richard II, Stephen Novelli as John of Gaunt and Paul Hebron as the Duke of York, Quintessence will bring to the stage Shakespeare's greatest verse poetry and question the prerequisites of leadership, the power of language over force, and the existence of God.

RICHARD II plays now through November 9. Post-show talkbacks with the cast and director will take place on Thursday, October 23 and Sunday, October 26. Performances take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm. There will also be two special Saturday matinees at 2pm so that both productions can be experienced in one day. Check the repertory performance schedule at www.QuintessenceTheatre.org for exact performance times and dates. Tickets are $34 - $27 general admission, $25 for seniors (65 and over), $15 for youth (21 and under).

Photo Credit: Shawn May