by Christine Sarkes

Let’s just get this out of the way: the Guthrie Theater’s “History Plays: Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V” are a crowning achievement on the part of every single person involved in this once-in-a-lifetime event. Get thee now, not to a nunnery, but to the Guthrie to experience some of the most entertaining and impressive acting you’ll see on Twin Cities stages. Shakespeare’s History Plays encompass the life and times of three key players in the tumultuous English monarchy from 1398 to 1420: King Richard II, King Henry IV and King Henry V. In short, the plays examine the role of power, family connection, revenge and how each king is transformed and trapped by the crown they wear.

Artistic Director Joseph Haj opened the History Plays marathon opening day on Saturday with a nod to the history-making event and its origins at the Guthrie Theater. Haj himself was an actor in the trilogy produced in 1990, which impacted him so profoundly that he endeavored to recreate it as Artistic Director. The next marathon day is Saturday, May 18, during which patrons will view all three plays from start to finish. I urge anyone able to participate and you will experience the full measure of Shakespeare’s achievement. If you worry, as I did, that a full day of iambic pentameter would turn your brain to mush, rest assured, it did not. The thrill of being part of theater history, the palpable energy of fellow audience members and the extraordinary services of the Guthrie staff will add adrenaline and anticipation to your day. The highlight of which, for fellow blogger and actor/director Erika Sasseville, was the standing ovation audience members gave to the troupe of actors at the opening of the final play, Henry V, in resounding recognition of their blood, sweat and tears.

If you aren’t able to commit to the marathon day, I urge you to experience one or more during the run. After viewing all three, I am able to offer suggestions on which ones to choose based on what might appeal to you. See Richard II for the brilliant and poignant performance of Tyler Michaels King, often mentioned as among the Twin Cities’ most talented multi-hyphenate artists. Henry VI offers more comic relief to the drama in the form of Sir John Falstaff (a superb Jimmy Kieffer) and his merry band of followers, in addition to the profoundly moving performance of Will Sturdivant as the king. Henry V offers the conclusion of the trilogy and the extraordinary Daniel Jose Molina, in his Guthrie debut, also as the king. As I said earlier, the 25 performers each give such superlative-defying performances, it would take many pages to mention each one separately. They are able to translate brilliantly Shakespeare’s complex allegory and poetry into accessible dialogue through pitch, movement and interpretation.

The stage and costume designers also deserve high praise for creating muted, yet complex color and design schemes that allow the dialogue and actors to shine. The scaffolding and rotating stage are especially cool. Last, but not least, kudos to dramaturg Carla Steen for her always illuminating work.

Access details here about these extraordinary plays and accompanying special events, such as post-play discussions, accessibility services and others.

The cast of Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V includes Stephanie Anne Bertumen (Guthrie: A Christmas Carol); Jasmine Bracey (Guthrie: debut); Dustin Bronson (Guthrie: Hamlet, To Kill a Mockingbird, Juno and the Paycock); John Catron (Guthrie: A Christmas Carol, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet); Charity Jones (Guthrie: A Christmas Carol, Dickens’ Holiday Classic, Cyrano de Bergerac); Jimmy Kieffer (Guthrie: South Pacific); Kurt Kwan (Guthrie: A Christmas Carol, The Great Leap, Othello); Erin Mackey (Guthrie: Sunday in the Park With George, South Pacific); Tracey Maloney (Guthrie: A Christmas Carol, The Heidi Chronicles, Othello); Melissa Maxwell (Guthrie: Steel Magnolias); Bill McCallum (Guthrie: Shane, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet); Tyler Michaels King (Guthrie: A Christmas Carol, Murder on the Orient Express, The Tempest); Daniel José Molina (Guthrie: debut); Em Rosenberg (Guthrie: debut); Sophina Saggau (Guthrie: debut); Eric Sharp (Guthrie: A Christmas Carol, Vietgone, As You Like It); Lanise Antoine Shelley (Guthrie: debut); William Sturdivant (Guthrie: Hamlet, The Tempest, Julius Caesar); U. Jonathan Toppo (Guthrie: Pericles); David Whalen (Guthrie: Hamlet, King Lear); and Stephen Yoakam (Guthrie: The Tempest, King Lear, The Crucible). For detailed casting and the actors’ roles in each play, visit the Guthrie website.

The creative team includes Joseph Haj (Director), Jan Chambers (Scenic Designer), Trevor Bowen (Costume Designer), Heather Gilbert (Lighting Designer), Mikaal Sulaiman (Sound Designer), Jack Herrick (Composer), Carla Steen (Resident Dramaturg), Sara Becker (Vocal Coach), U. Jonathan Toppo (Fight Director), Annie Enneking (Intimacy), Jennifer Liestman (Resident Casting Director), Karl Alphonso (Stage Manager), Tree O’Halloran (Stage Manager), Jason Clusman (Assistant Stage Manager), Olivia Louise Tree Plath (Assistant Stage Manager), Lavina Jadhwani (Associate Director), Kate Pitt (Assistant Director), Kajsa Jones-Higgins (SDCF Directing Fellow/Assistant Director) and McCorkle Casting, Ltd. (NYC Casting Consultant).

Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V, Playing through Saturday, May 25 on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. See all three plays on Saturday, May 18. See all three plays in two days: Join us on select weekend performances: April 27–28, May 3–4, May 10–11, May 24–25. Pace your performances: Purchase a three-play package and see each play on separate days or weeks. See one or two plays: Choose your favorite monarchs and purchase single tickets. 818 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis. 612.377.2224 (Box Office Hours).