Tina Packer Directs Actors' Shakespeare Project's HENRY VIII, Now thru 1/5

Actors' Shakespeare Project (ASP) continues its 10th Anniversary Season with Henry VIII, William Shakespeare's final history play and the ultimate tale of colliding politics, religion, lust, and palace intrigue. Directed by Tina Packer, this seldom-produced work comes to life on stage tonight, December 11, 2013- January 5, 2014 (press performance December 14 at 8pm) at The Modern Theatre at Suffolk University, 525 Washington Street, Boston. For tickets and information go online at www.actorsshakespeareproject.org or call 866-811-4111.

Four hundred years after its premiere, the era and personalities of Henry VIII remain firmly in the public's imagination-a story so explosive it literally set fire to The Globe Theatre in 1613- and as fodder for pop culture interpretations, such as Showtime's "The Tudors". Through brilliant language, the Bard takes audiences back to the religiously tinged conflict between King Henry VIII (Allyn Burrows) and the Roman Church, showing the struggle for dominance from the King's perspective. After years of marriage to his brother's widow, Henry begins to suspect his union with Katherine of Aragon (Tamara Hickey) isn't as holy as he once believed. Is honest doubt driving his change of heart, or is his burgeoning love for the alluring Anne Boleyn (Kathryn Myles) truly to blame?

The cast features Resident Acting Company members Henry VIII (Allyn Burrows*), Gardiner, 1st Gentleman (Johnnie McQuarley), Prologue and Epilogue, Abergevanny, Sands, 2nd Gentleman, Old Lady, Patience, Capucius (Bobbie Steinbach*) Wolsey (Robert Walsh*) and Duke of Norfolk (Michael Forden Walker)*. Additional cast includes Queen Katherine (Tamara Hickey*), Anne Boleyn (Kathryn Myles), Lovell, Cranmer, Surveyor (Ross MacDonald*), Duke of Buckingham, Campeius, Dr. Butts (Craig Mathers*), and Chamberlain (Omar Robinson). * Denotes member of Actors' Equity Association.

The creative team includes Tina Packer (Director), Steven Barkhimer and Brooke Hardman (Co-Associate Directors), Janie E. Howland (Scenic Designer), Daniel H. Jentzen (Lighting Designer) Tyler Kinney (Costume & Mask Designer), Susan Dibble (Choreographer), Arshan Gailus (Sound Designer), Karen Kopryanski (Vocal Coach) and Alex Sovronsky (Composer).

Performances are tonight, December 11 at 7:30pm, Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 3pm & 8pm (no matinee December 14) and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $15 (student rush) - $50 and available at http://www.actorsshakespeareproject.org.

Student matinees are at 10am on Wednesday, December 18 and Thursday, December 19. Please visit www.actorsshakespeareproject.org/group-sales for discounted prices and calendar. Post performance talkbacks are held following all student and Sunday matinees.