RICHARD II Opens in July at OSF

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival will open William Shakespeare's Richard II, directed by Bill Rauch, on July 9 in the Thomas Theatre. Preview performances are offered July 5, 7 and 8. Due to popular demand, additional performances have been added on July 12, 27, Sept. 14, 27, October 18 and 25.

Fans of Shakespeare's history plays will find much to delight in as one of his most beautifully poetic plays, written entirely in verse, is presented in the intimacy of the 274-seat Thomas Theatre, serving as a perfect prelude to 2017's productions of both parts of Henry IV, which will also be presented in the Thomas Theatre.

"Seeing these compelling history plays so close together as part of our Canon-in-a-Decade project will be thrilling for our audiences," says director Bill Rauch. "And to be looking at these stories of failed and enforced leadership during our own tumultuous presidential election cycle also has a very special meaning."

"For me, the greatest glory of this play lies in the language," adds associate director Dawn Monique Williams. "It is an honor to join this company and this creative team to bring this text that is so rich in metaphysical poetry to life."

The cast of Richard II features Christopher Liam Moore as King Richard II, Sarah Jane Agnew as Queen and ensemble, Armando Durán as John of Gaunt and ensemble, Jeffrey King as Bullingbroke, Michael Sharon as Thomas Mowbray, Bishop of Carlisle and Ensemble, Tony DeBruno as Duke of York, K.T. Vogt as Duchess of York and Ensemble, Jeremy Peter Johnson as Duke of Aumerle and Ensemble, Kevin Kenerly as Earl of Northumberland and Ensemble, Leah Anderson as Henry Percy and Ensemble, Catherine Castellanos as Duchess of Gloucester and Ensemble, Tyrone Wilson as Bushy and Ensemble, Kate Hurster as Bagot and Ensemble, and U. Jonathan Toppo as Green and Ensemble.

Scenic design for Richard II is by Sibyl Wickersheimer, costume design by Linda Roethke, and lighting is by Christopher Akerlind. Andre Pluess is composer/Sound Designer, Barry Kraft is dramaturg, Rebecca Clark Carey is voice and text director and U. Jonathan Toppo is fight director. Stage manager is Jeremy Eisen.

Production Partners for Richard II are Ted Wobber and Linda M. DeMelis, the Collonge Family, the Hobbes Family, Lynn and Gary Jacobs, The Kinsman Foundation, and Bill Meehan and Randi Zeller.