Henry VI, Part 2, directed by the acclaimed Tina Packer at Actors' Shakespeare Project

Actors’ Shakespeare Project (ASP) closes its eleventh season with Shakespeare’s most irresistible feast of intrigue—Henry VI, Part 2, directed by the acclaimed Tina Packer, running May 13—June 7, 2015 at The Modern Theatre at Suffolk University, 525 Washington Street, Boston. Performances will be Wednesday (May 13 only), Thursdays, and Fridays, 7:30 pm; Saturdays, 3pm (except May 16) & 8 pm; and Sundays, 2 pm. Student matinees are at 10am: May 20, 21 & 28. Post-show discussions each Sunday after 2pm matinee and after all 10am student matinees. Tickets are $28-$50. ($15 student rush). For tickets or more information, visit www.actorsshakespeareproject.org or call (866) 811-4111. Likely Shakespeare’s first “history” plays, the Henry VI trilogy (including Part I and Part III) revolves around the 30 year conflict between two branches of the ruling Plantagenet family, the House of Lancaster and the House of York, from 1455 to 1485. This exposition on the “Wars of the Roses,” named for the emblems of each warring faction—a white rose for York, and a red rose for Lancaster—traces the military and political roots of the conflict and its bloody aftermath, which Shakespeare concludes in another famous history, Richard III. Henry VI, Part 2 focuses on events just prior to and including the Wars’ start at the Battle of St. Albans. It reveals Young King Henry (Jesse Hinson*), his ambitious Queen, Margaret of Anjou (Jennie Israel*), and their court, where ambition and betrayal conjure witchcraft, necromancy, and assassination. When the Jack Cade Rebellion shakes the House of Lancaster’s hold on power, Richard, Duke of York (Nigel Gore*) stakes his claim for the throne, and to wars that will lead his crookback prodigy, Dickie, to become the villainous Richard III. Summing up the play's built-in conflict, director Tina Packer says, "The people are suffering but a young king cannot control his ambitious nobles or the desires of his newly wed wife. Witchcraft, the Church, public humilation, and outright rebellion sweep across the stage as England struggles to establish itself as a United Kingdom." The popularity of the play during Shakespeare’s time, more than 100 years after the historical events, reflects how it unfolds its vivid intrigues through larger-than-life revelations. Although it contains more characters than any play in his canon, Shakespeare conjured some of his most inspired poetry to keep Henry VI, Part 2 from being a stale retelling of ancient family feud. His words breathe fire into the machinations of Lancaster and York, illuminating the conspiratorial motives and ambition that fueled their battles for more than three decades. The cast features Resident Acting Company Members (RAC) Steven Barkhimer* (Cardinal Beaufort), Allyn Burrows* (Duke of Gloucester), Jesse Hinson* (King Henry VI), Jennie Israel* (Queen Margaret), Marya Lowry* (Duchess Eleanor), and Johnnie McQuarley* (Earl of Warwick). Additional cast includes Peter Andersen (Marjorie Jourdain), Nigel Gore* (Duke of York), Ross MacDonald* (Duke of Somerset), and Craig Mathers* (Duke of Suffolk). The creative team includes Eric Levenson** (scenic designer), Daniel H. Jentzen (lighting designer), Tyler Kinney (costume designer), Alexander Sovronsky (composer), and Jason Asprey (violence designer). *A Member of the Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. **Member of United Scenic Artists Local 82