HENRY, SWEET HENRY
Enter Central Park at West 103rd and look for the closest, large meadow. Bring a blanket or a chair with you because you arrived at the “first stage” of Shakespeare’s Henry IV (a blending of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2) produced by New York Classical Theatre. Their mission is to reinvigorate and create audiences for the theatre by presenting free productions in public venues around the city, a very noble cause and a truly needed endeavor; to date, almost 300,000 New Yorkers have attended NYCT’s productions. I mention “first stage” because the stage moves around the park every 15 minutes and the public has to follow, a clever way to show different backgrounds of a gorgeous landscape, but I think it should be extended to every 30 minutes to avoid interrupting the play flow since the actors are all very talented and passionate.
Anique Clements and Ian Antal (Miranda Arden)
When I went, Director/Adaptor Stephen Burdman, founding Artistic Director of NYCT, was waiting for us, telling the public where to sit and recounting a few anecdotes about the company and the piece. Right away, the meadow became a theater and actors in 1400s costumes arrived from all directions to take their spots. Enter King Henry IV, played by Nick Salamone as a proud, naggy character with a funny streak and lots of regrets, followed by his entourage.
King Henry IV (Nick Salamone) fights off his enemies (Sarah Antal)
Henry can’t stop complaining: he usurped the throne from Richard II and feels guilty about it, so much he is considering a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to repent; meanwhile, the Welsh are rising and he wishes his own son would take care of it, instead he has to send Hotspur, played by Damian Jermaine Thompson with the impetuous and fervor the role requires, creating even more problems for his throne. His own son, Prince Hal (the future Henry V), played by a charming and mischievous Ian Antal, is too busy having fun with and making fun of Sir John Falstaff, played by a hilarious John Michalski who is a very credible drunken knight and an all-too-human father figure for the young prince.
Carine Montebrand, Ian Antal, and John Michalski (Miranda Arden)
Henry’s pride and stubbornness angers his allies, the Earl of Northumberland, played by Juan Luis Acevedo – who doubles as Lord Chief Justice and is the more solemn of the characters, and the Countess of Worcester, Carine Montbertrand, who also plays a matter-of-fact Nell Quickly, hostess of the Boar’s Head Tavern, and she is a riot in both roles. Ian Gould, as Glendower and Westmoreland, adds a boisterous, animated touch to the piece. Anique Clements plays an impeccable cunning Poins, the Prince’s closest friend and partner in crime, and Countess Mortimer; Briana Gibson Reeves doubles with ease as clownish Bardolph and somber Lady Katherine; and Nuah Ozryel as Sir Walter Blount and Pistol.
Briana Gibson Reeves, Nuah Ozryel, John Michalski,
Ian Antal, and Anique Clements (Sarah Antal)
I did not see the second part of the play because a big thunderstorm was about to hit the city and the director stopped the performance, but it was enough to enjoy the Bard’s words in such a delightful setting, with such dedicated actors, for free, and I recommend it to all New Yorkers and tourists as a must-see theatrical experience. A special applause goes to NYCT, a full Equity Off-Broadway company, for making the classics available to all — bravi.
Nick Salamone and Ian Antal ( ©Sarah Antal)
Henry IV
New York Classical Theatre
Tues-Sun at 7 (run time 2 hours)
for free RSVPs (with pre-show weather update & advanced programs):
Central Park (ends on June 30, 2024)
Carl Schurz Park, East 87th St & East End Ave (July 2-7, 2024)
Battery Park/Castle Clinton, Battery Place & Broadway (July 9 – 14, 2024)
for more info, visit NYCT
walk-up participants welcome on a first-come, first-serve basis based on park lawn size
Carine Montebrand and John Michalski (Miranda Arden)