Richard II @ Astor Place Theatre

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The Play: Richard II; the Red Bull Theater company’s reimagining of Shakespeare’s history play about the monarch whose narcissism lead to his downfall and set off the 32-year War of the Roses for control of the British throne

Written by: William Shakespeare        Adapted and directed by: Craig Baldwin

One good thing: Michael Urie, long celebrated for his comedic performances, shows that he has the dramatic chops and the classical technique to shine in the demanding title role

One not-so-great thing: The decision to set this production in the bathhouse culture of the 1980s is confusing where a more traditional approach—even with the gay undertones this one favors—might have been more effective for one of the Bard's less familiar plays that is so rarely done 

 

 

 

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