Richard II
Closing: December 21, 2025Richard II - 2025 Off-Broadway History , Info & More
Astor Place Theatre
434 Layfayette St. New York, NY
Ambition and betrayal reign supreme in this electrifying reimagining of Shakespeare’s poetic masterpiece. Set in 1980s Manhattan, the neon skyline and shadowy backrooms become an epic battleground of identity and power, where a king’s divine right crumbles beneath the weight of human frailty. Craig Baldwin’s inventive adaptation makes Richard’s tragic descent freshly immediate, staged a stone’s throw from the site of the historic Astor Place Riots, the original American cocktail of politics, insurrection, and Shakespeare.
Richard II - 2025 - Off-Broadway Cast
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Richard II
Richard II: This Campy Breed, This England
4 / 10
With little of interest characterlogically or politically, the production is hit or miss: some annoying gimmicks here (Daniel Stewart Sherman slipping into cornpone as a Southern-fried General Scroop; a final tableau from Richard that’s full-out Norma Desmond), a few stunning visuals there (kudos to lighting designer Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, leaning into neon). A couple of performances honor the verse and suggest fully rounded people. Kathryn Meisle, always reliable, brings fire and urgency to the Duchess (usually the Duke) of York. Canada makes excellent account of Gaunt’s famous “this happy breed of men…This precious stone set in the silver sea” monologue, though most of the others fail to register at any juncture that a sceptered isle, this other Eden, hangs in the balance.
Review: Richard II at the Astor Place Theatre
9 / 10
Happily, director Craig Baldwin and the Red Bull Theater have achieved this latter result with a Richard II that leverages its chic, modern trappings to offer a striking vision of Shakespeare’s most poetic king. Behind a wonderful lead performance by Michael Urie, the show probes the warm interiority of the beleaguered Richard as juxtaposed against the cold, brutal political calculations of his counterpoint, Henry Bolingbroke.
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by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 10, 2025
The limited Off-Broadway engagement of Richard II starring Michael Urie has entered its final weeks of performances. Richard II will be recorded by the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
by A.A. Cristi - December 3, 2025
Red Bull Theater will extend its acclaimed production of RICHARD II for one final week, with performances now running through December 21 at the Astor Place Theatre.
by Bruce Glikas - November 13, 2025
The Off-Broadway production of Shakespeare's Richard II, starring Michael Urie, recently opened. The engagement will continue through Sunday December 14th at the Astor Place Theatre. Check out photos from the red carpet on opening night here!
by Bruce Glikas - November 13, 2025
Performances are now underway for the Off-Broadway production of Shakespeare's Richard II, starring Michael Urie. Check out photos from opening night here!
by A.A. Cristi - November 10, 2025
Read reviews for the Off-Broadway production of Shakespeare's Richard II, starring Tony Award nominee Michael Urie. The extended limited Off-Broadway engagement will now continue through Sunday December 14th at the Astor Place Theatre.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 10, 2025
Michael Urie leads Richard II at Red Bull Theater, now extended through December 14. Experience Shakespeare's masterpiece in a fresh setting!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 31, 2025
You can now get a first look at production photos of Red Bull Theater's Richard II at the Astor Place Theatre, starring Michael Urie, Lux Pascal and more.
by Joey Mervis - November 2, 2025
Join Michael Urie as he shares the plays and musicals that influenced his artistry. Discover the classics he adores in this exclusive video.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 27, 2025
In order to make tickets accessible to the widest possible audience, Red Bull Theater will be partnering with the digital ticket lottery platform Lucky Seat to offer the chance to win lottery tickets to Richard II. Learn more and see how to enter!
by Joey Mervis - October 22, 2025
Richard II takes Manhattan in the newest production of Shakespeare's history play. Red Bull Theater is about to open its 2025-26 Season with Michael Urie starring in a version of Shakespeare's Richard II, adapted and directed by Craig Baldwin. Watch in this video as both chat more about the new take on the classic play.
by Bruce Glikas - September 23, 2025
Red Bull Theater's 2025-26 Season will kick off with Michael Urie starring in Shakespeare's Richard II. The show is adapted and directed by Craig Baldwin. Ahead of the show's first performance, the cast met the press. Check out photos here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 9, 2025
RED BULL THEATER has revealed the complete cast to join Emmy nominated actor Michael Urie in a powerful new version of Shakespeare's Richard II. Learn more!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 3, 2025
RED BULL THEATER's 2025-’26 Season will begin with Emmy nominated actor Michael Urie starring in a version of Shakespeare's Richard II. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Richard II History
Other Productions of Richard II
| 2025 | West End |
West End |
| 2025 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
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