Quote of the Day: In Shakespeare’s dynamic historical saga, many characters clamor for proximity to the crown – or for the crown itself – not realizing that they seek the very thing that will destroy them. Joseph Haj, Artistic Director at the Guthrie Theater and director of the three Shakespeare history plays, Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V, playing in repertoire at the Guthrie Theater through May 25, 2024. 

I am still basking in the afterglow of the epic experience of seeing all three of these History plays in one day, a marathon day of Shakespeare, at the Guthrie Theater last Saturday. I am grateful to the Guthrie Theater for including me in the media invites so that I could experience this event and write about it, and that I was given the opportunity to introduce a college student to the majestic world of Shakespeare. We had a wonderful, if at times overwhelming, time immersing ourselves in a day full of theater. I am also grateful for my fellow bloggers as we experienced this once in a lifetime event together.

Tyler Michaels King as King Richard II at the Guthrie Theater, thru 5/25/24. Photo: Dan Norman

We Band of Bloggers (phrase coined by Jill from Cherry and Spoon) gathered at 9:35 am on the endless bridge at the Guthrie for a photo shoot, morning greetings, and cheers for the beginning of this epic day. Then, we headed into the Wurtele Thrust stage where they handed out swag bags with wristbands and a schedule for the day. We settled in quickly to the stunning performances, starting with Richard II.

Tyler Michaels King as King Richard II and cast, at the Guthrie Theater, thru 5/25/24. Photo: Dan Norman

Tyler Michaels King played the young and pompous Richard II. I can see him now, ascending the thrown, crown on head, posed in front of his court (and us, his audience), passing judgement, believing that he is all powerful and nothing will change that. But, change it will, indeed, as the crown and all its power are too tempting. William Sturdivant who plays Henry Bolingbroke later becomes King Henry IV, not without cunning and brute force. I loved the scene where Richard crouches on the ground and sends curses to his opponents, and where he gives his final speech to a crowd that cheers then deserts him. And, a really strong visual of both Richard and Henry holding the crown, a hand on each side of it, then switching places. The arc of this story is powerful, it’s tagline “a king becomes a man.”

Tyler Michaels King as King Richard II and William Sturdivant at Henry IV, at the Guthrie Theater, thru 5/25/24. Photo: Dan Norman

I think back to how that first play of the day set the tone for the stories that would unfold. We meet characters, and the phenomenal actors who portray them, who might have smaller roles in the first play, then become main characters in the next ones, or vice versa. The costumes (by Trevor Bowen) are absolutely stunning. The gorgeous set (design by Jan Chambers) is majestic. It works for all three plays with various moving parts, a rotating back section, and a few pieces that come down from the rafters, or up through the center trap door. So many splendid visual details and surprises!

William Sturdivant as Henry IV and Daniel Jose’ Molina as Henry V, at the Guthrie Theater, thru 5/25/24. Photo: Dan Norman

In Henry IV, we watch a boy, Prince Hal (Daniel José Molina) change from a young and carefree party boy into King Henry V. King Henry IV is frustrated with the antics of his son, but finds ways to bring him back to the kingdom and show him where his rightful place belongs. I like the addition of singing in this episode. All three plays had music as an underscore, composed by Jack Herrick. Of course, what would a barroom scene be without a merry tune and sloshing of glasses, tall tales of battles that may or may not have happened, and change in the telling. With the addition of lighting and sound (Heather Gilbert & Mikaal Sulaiman) and the music, the mood is firmly set and changes with the action of the characters. One character that stood out to me in Henry IV was Sir John Falstaff (played with charming endearment by Jimmy Kieffer). Flastaff is that big teddy bear of a guy that’s everyone’s friend and a bit of a goofball. He can put away the liquor, tell a raucous story, and be as loyal as a German Shephard. Despite his goofiness, he is crafty, and saves himself with an extra large turkey leg, and he has one of my favorite speeches of the day about honor. 

Daniel Jose’ Molina as Prince Hal (who becomes Henry V) and his party pals in Henry IV, at the Guthrie Theater, thru 5/25/24. Photo: Dan Norman

As we watch the plays, we see not only the Kings and hear their speeches, but we get words of wisdom from secondary characters as well. Several characters have their moment in the spotlight, soliloquizing about battles, honor, love, valour, pride, loyalty, decisions, death and life. All things that we still ponder today as humans. Charity Jones knocked it out of the rafters during her long, rambling speech as the Archbishop of Canterbury. The reactions of the other characters, along with the audience, made that one of the most entertaining moments! In Henry V, Erin Mackey as Princess Katherine and Jasmine Bracey as Alice have a darling bathtub scene where Princess Katherine is trying to learn English by naming body parts. Erin also has a lovely solo earlier as Davy during a sweet moment with friends, remembering.

Kurt Kwan as King Charles VI and court in Henry V, at the Guthrie Theater, thru 5/25/24. Photo: Dan Norman

The action in Henry V takes place in both England and France. More battles rage, a romance ensues, and the two countries unite, albeit briefly. Throughout the plays, they have some nice fight scenes (directed by U. Johnathan Toppo), swords clanking, axes wielding, bodies falling. Some characters have dramatic death scenes, some rise to fight again. Borders change, loyalties shift. Men seek power, destroying lives and the earth in their wake. It never ends. But, there are moments of reprieve, when people fall in love, make music and bond in friendship. Shakespeare’s plays cover the full range of the human experience. 

William Sturdivant as Henry IV and , at the Guthrie Theater, thru 5/25/24. Photo: Dan Norman

Between the first and second shows, we had time for a lunch break. We merry band of bloggers headed to the 9th floor where we enjoyed our box lunches, that you could preorder, or ones be packed ourselves. There were also food trucks parked nearby as well as restaurants. We talked about theater, and other things, and enjoyed the gorgeous view of the Mississippi River and Stone Arch Bridge. Between the second and third show, we had a delicious dinner at Farmer’s Kitchen, where they provided strong coffee for the marathoners (thank you very much)! Settling into that final show felt like the last legs of a pilgrimage. We whispered words of encouragement and praise for giving so much to the day completely immersed in theater. When the cast entered for the opening scene, where they give a popcorn delivery of lines, we stood and cheered. Then, we stood and cheered again at the curtain call, giving them all the love and praise they earned from such an epic day. Standing ovations go to all the cast and crew and staff at the Guthrie Theater. This marvelous, majestic theater experience will live in my memory for all the rest of my days. Thank you to my fellow bloggers and my companion Kyara for taking that pilgrimage with me. 

William Sturdivant as Henry IV, Daniel Jose’ Molina as Henry V, and Tyler Michaels King as Richard II, and the cast of these majestic shows, at the Guthrie Theater, thru 5/25/24. Photo: Dan Norman

You have one more chance to experience a Marathon day of the Henriad at the Guthrie Theater on May 18. You can watch one or all of the plays throughout the next month. They also have ASL interpreted performances on select days. And, no, I can’t tell you which one was my favorite. Each one had outstanding moments and characters, and I wouldn’t have wanted to miss a single minute of them. And, yes, I’d do it all again. Visit the Guthrie Theater website for tickets and showtimes for all three of the Shakespeare History plays, playing through May 25, 2024. 

Twin Cities Theater Bloggers and companions on the Endless Bridge at the Guthrie theater, bright-eyed and ready to start our marathon day of the Henriad Shakespeare day at the Guthrie Theater.

Go to Twin Cities Theater Chat to hear an interview with Director Joe Haj and Twin Cities Theater Bloggers Jill (Cherry and Spoon) and Rob (The Stages of MN) who were also attending the Marathon day with me, along with Keith from Life in Revue and Julie from MN Theater Love. 

We few, we merry band of bloggers, enjoying dinner and a large cup of strong coffee (me) as we head into the final performance of the day, a most wonderful, memorable day.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: Have you ever experienced a marathon day of theater? Do you have a favorite Shakespeare play or experience? Character, quote or soliloquy?