Bolingbroke in ‘Richard II’ with Shakespeare Project

This winter, Christopher Prentice is returning to The Shakespeare Project of Chicago and Richard II, when he appears as Bolingbroke in the company's theatrical reading production.

When King Richard II, a vain and capricious monarch, banishes his cousin Henry Bolingbroke and later seizes his inheritance to fund foreign wars, the public is outraged, and Bolingbroke rallies his supporters to regain his rights.

For the SPC presentation directed by Richard Shavzin, Chris plays the righteous warrior-turned-usurper Bolingbroke (later Henry IV) opposite Tom Morin as King Richard, Kevin Gudahl as York and Kate Young as Gaunt. The cast also includes Christian Davis Aldridge, Craig Duff, Shelby Marie Edwards, Patrice Egleston, Gary Henderson, Matt Keeley, Lauren Grace Thompson, Jake Weinheimer, and Lizzie Williams. Alex Albrecht and Beth Harris are the understudies.

The production features original music and sound design by George Zahora. Alden Vasquez is the stage manager and Sara B.T. Thiel is the dramaturg.

This theatrical reading is Chris's second production of Richard II. He played several roles, including a literal spearcarrier, in David Frank's 2001 production at American Players Theatre. He also read Richard as part of Corona Cold Reads — a Covid-era pass-the-time project that ended up presenting Shakespeare's entire canon.

Richard II tours to five Chicago-area venues Feb. 27–March 7.

Visit shakespeareprojectchicago.org for more info and to reserve seats.

Image courtesy The Shakespeare Project of Chicago