Henry IV

Opened: 20 Nov 2003
Written byWilliam Shakespeare, dramaturg/adapter Dakin Matthews
Starring: Richard Easton, Kevin Kline, Ethan Hawke, Michael Hayden
Directed by: Jack O'Brien
Synopsis: Shakespeare's Henry IV is a story about nations - England and France - as much as it is a story about families - specifically, fathers and sons. HENRY IV picks up at the end of Richard II; the English throne has been usurped from King Richard II by his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, now King Henry IV (Richard Easton). The first of the play's two main plots concerns a rebellion that is being planned against King Henry by a discontented family of noblemen in the North, who are led by the young Harry Percy, known as Hotspur (Ethan Hawke).

What the critics had to say.....
BEN BRENTLEY of the NEW YORK TIMES says �The most entertaining show of the season.� JOHN LAHR of THE NEW YORKER says "the production, .. is intellectually stimulating, .. emotionally lopsided." CLIVE BARNES of NEW YORK POST says �Where the production falters most, however, is in the performances, which are a very mixed bag.� HOWARD KISSEL of NEW YORK DAILY NEWS says �A miracle is taking place eight times a week at the corner of Amsterdam Ave. and 65th St. Great Shakespeare is being performed.� ELYSA GARDNER of USA TODAY says �Riveting excursion.� LINDA WINER of NEWSDAY says "Consistently satisfying as any Shakespeare created here in far too long." FRANK SCHECK the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER says "An unqualified triumph." MICHAEL SOMMERS of STAR-LEDGER says "Exciting to experience and a pleasure to recall." DENNIS CUNNINGHAM of NY1 says "This one, is so major an achievement that it is an event." MICHAEL KUCHWARA of ASSOCIATED PRESS says "Monumental theater."

External links to full reviews from newspapers
New York Times
New Yorker
New York Post
New York Daily News
USA Today
Newsday
Hollywood Reporter
Associated Press