New Classical Theatre Company, Muse Of Fire, To Mount Inaugural Season: The Head That Wears The Crown

Los Angeles - Muse Of Fire theatre company presents William Shakespeare's Richard II, directed by Margaret Starbuck, and Henry IV, directed by Will Block, as part of 2017 inaugural summer season.

Margaret Starbuck, director of Richard II says that Muse of Fire's production illustrates a brand new scientific discovery: power negatively affects the brain's ability to empathize. When people feel powerful their ability to see situations from other perspectives, to read a room, and to mirror other people's actions decreases. Richard has been king since he was 9 years old, nobody has ever told him no, nobody has ever humbled him. His lifelong power isolates and insulates him from his subjects and his family, making him a wildly unpopular king, completely out of touch with reality and unable to empathize with those around him. It is only when he loses power through the machinations of his cousin Henry Bolingbroke that he finally regains his ability to empathize, his humility, and his humanity.

Will Block, director of Henry IV, says, "I knew I wanted to direct Henry IV because of the characters of Hal and Hotspur. In my mind they are the twin protagonists of the piece. And I love that Henry IV focuses on two young people. Richard II is about the previous generation, it's kind of this hermetically sealed golden age where we only see nobles...And in Henry IV, we break out of that. The world is broken - Bolingbroke ascending the throne, killing Richard; that has shattered the world as the people knew it. The play does not focus on Henry IV. The play focuses on his son, Hal, and Hal's rival, Hotspur...Basically the two men understand that until the other has been defeated, neither will fully come into their own."

Richard II features the talents of Jen Albert, Thomas Bigley, Annette Bizal, Will Block, Will Bostwick, Tiffany Esteb, Roger Sebastian, Kelsey Kato*, Doug Kiphut, Jennipher Lewis, Howard Lockie*, Ian Runge, Marie Osterman, Jon Owens, and Zoe Yale

*Matt Curtin will be assuming Mr. Kato's roles beginning August 11.

*Jono Eiland will be assuming Mr. Lockie's roles beginning August 18.

Costume Design by Ysabel Riina and Set Design by Michelle Joo. Production Manager is Renee Torchio MacDonald. Stage manager is Shayna Maci Warner.

Henry IV features the talents of Jen Albert, Robert Arriaga, Annette Bizal, Will Bostwick, Roger Sebastian, Kelsey Kato*, Doug Kiphut, Jennipher Lewis, Howard Lockie*, Marie Osterman, Jon Owens, Ian Runge, Dan Wilson, Zoe Yale

*Matt Curtin will be assuming Mr. Kato's roles beginning August 11.

*Jono Eiland will be assuming Mr. Lockie's roles beginning August 18.

Costume Design by Sam Vinzon and Set Design by Michelle Joo. Production Manager is Renee Torchio MacDonald.

Richard II:

Richard II has been King his entire life. Now, his cousin Henry Bolingbroke is seeking Richard's crown, England is in turmoil and all his subjects seem to be siding with Bolingbroke. Faced with losing everything that defined him, Richard must finally learn what it means to be a human being and not just a king.

Henry IV:

Henry IV has been king eight years, and still finds himself haunted by the death of Richard. His nobles have begun a rebellion, led by the young and fiery warrior Henry "Hotspur" Percy. Moreover, his own son Hal has run away and taken up with the drunken thief Sir John Falstaff. As the rebellion intensifies, Hal must choose whether to abandon his royal duties in favor of the affection and friendship he's found with Falstaff, or to abandon his friends and embrace his destiny as the future Henry V.

Richard II runs July 21st - August 19th at the Monk Space, 4414 W. 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90004. Performances on July 21 and 22, and August 4, 12, and 18 are at 7:00 PM. Performances on July 23 and 30/ August 6 and 19 are at 2:00 PM.

Henry IV runs July 28th - August 19th at the Monk Space, 4414 W. 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90004. Performances on July 28 and 29, and August 5, 11, and 19 are at 7:00 PM. The performance on August 13 is at 2:00 PM.

Information regarding tickets can be found on museoffireco.com, or purchased directly at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3019051

Evening tickets are priced at $15, and Matinee tickets are priced at $7. Press and reviewers please email museoffirepr@gmail.com? for free tickets

Muse Of Fire seeks to reveal collective humanity and accurately represent and comment on 21st century America through clear, inventive, and moving productions of classical plays in an intimate and interactive setting.

Muse Of Fire was founded spring of 2017 by Will Block, Renee MacDonald, and Margaret Starbuck to pursue their passion for classical theater. This summer Muse of Fire will begin its 2017 season with The Head that Wears the Crown: Richard II and Henry IV performed in rep.

Muse of Fire seeks to make an artistic difference in the world, but also to tangibly effect and help the fight for civil rights. To that end, 10% of all ticket proceeds will be donated to the American Civil Liberties Union.

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