Twenty-two classical actors and two directors take on Shakespeare's Henry V
trilogy in Prospect Park opening August 22nd. The project, a brainchild of
Rebellious Subjects Theatre (Lauren Ferebee and Patrick Woodall, Co-Artistic
Directors), is the fourth produced by the young site-specific company
(previous work includes Twelfth Night, Under Milk Wood, and Three Sisters).
Prospect Park's rarely-used Music Pagoda is the site for the summer Henry
plays. Departing from the traditional model of Shakespeare in the Park, the
shows will be performed with actors staging portions of the play in the
surrounding wooded areas of the Pagoda; audience will be scattered
throughout the performance grounds.
In keeping with the company's mission to bring interactive, quality
classical theatre to all there is no traditional proscenium staging, no star
casting, and no charge for tickets.
A cut version of Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 opens Auguts 22nd at 4:30pm; the
trilogy continues on Sunday, August 23rd at 4:30pm with Henry V. The shows
play through September 6th on Saturdays and Sundays.
Elyzabeth Gorman (director, Henry IV) just completed the Lincoln Center
Director's Lab. Her previous work includes "Every Man" (2007 winner, Samuel
French Festival), "See Jane Run" at FringeNYC and five NY premieres. She
received a BFA from Boston University, where she was the recipient of the
Stone Award grant in production dramaturgy.
Melisa Annis (director, Henry V) recently assisted Tony-nominated director
Bill Russell on an updated Off-Broadway reading of "Elegies for Angels Punks
and Raging Queens" and worked with an incredible cast of forty (including
several Tony, Emmy and Drama Desk Award winners). Melisa is an RST veteran,
having directed Under Milk Wood and a "triumphant" Twelfth Night in 2008.
Originally from Wales, Melisa worked as an actress on a national soap opera
and the National Theater of Wales prior to coming to the US.
Rebellious Subjects Theatre was founded in May 2008 by Lauren Ferebee and
Patrick Woodall. The company creates unconventional stagings of classic
plays, fostering a new audience for older material and revitalizing the
perception of well-known playwrights among the theatrical community. For
more information on the company's activity, please visit their website at
www.rebellioussubjects.org.
The ensemble includes: Tiffany Abercrombie, Bryn Boice,* Sutton Crawford, Tarik
Davis, Drew de Jesus, Paul Frazee, Ben Friesen, Simone Harrison,* Jon Ledoux,
Jonathan Levy, Joshua Luria, Kevin Mitchell, Nick Reinhardt, Ben Rezendes,
Montgomery Sutton,* Eric Rice,* Adrien Saunders, Jesse Sells,* Steve Viola,
and Patrick Woodall
* indicates member of AEA. An Equity Approved Showcase.
For more information on Prospect Park events, programs, membership and
volunteering at the Park, call the Park Hotline at (718) 965-8999 or visit
www.prospectpark.org. Dial 311 for all Parks & Recreation information
In partnership with the City of New York and the community, the Prospect
Park Alliance restores, develops, and operates Prospect Park for the
enjoyment of all by caring for the natural environment, preserving historic
design, and serving the public through facilities and programs. Prospect
Park's 585 acres of meadows, waterfalls, forest, lakes, and athletic
facilities comprise a masterwork of urban green space.
