About This Production
“I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.” Convinced of his divine right to rule, King Richard II never expected to be undone by his own arrogant, narcissistic, and incompetent reign. By brashly putting his own vanity before the needs of his kingdom, he creates the perfect opening for Bolingbroke to seize the throne. Our contemporary production, using a gender-equal cast in our intimate Goldman Theater, reveals how one man’s bumbling mistakes can shape a nation’s political landscape and change the course of history.
Orlando Shakes’ production of Richard II is part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
Richard II is part of Orlando Shakes’ Fire and Reign series, a seven Shakespeare production journey through history over three seasons covering the Hundred Years’ War and the Wars of the Roses, from Richard II – Richard III.
Critic and Audience Reviews
-Audience MemberI loved the casting and the set was inspired!
-Audience MemberI was nervous I wouldn’t like women playing the male roles (just in terms of confusion), but I appreciated the stage direction as players entered. I totally lost myself in the story and didn’t care who was playing what.
-Audience MemberReally enjoyable performances from everyone with a stand-out contribution from Amy Hutchins as Bolingbroke. She could grace Shakespeare's Globe with ease!
Creative Team
Director: Eleanor Holdridge***
Assistant Director: Alexandra Rocha
Scenic Designer: Ruthmarie Tenorio
Lighting Designer: Elie Siegel
Costume Designer: Denise R. Warner
Sound Designer: Britt Sandusky
Fight Choreographer: Bill Warriner
AEA Stage Manager: Paige Gober*
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association
***Member of Society of Directors and Choreographers
Children under 5 will not be admitted into the Theater.