The Hilberry Theatre opens Henry IV, Part I by William Shakespeare at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2005, running through Thursday, May 5, 2005.

Henry IV, Part I continues the saga of the Bolingbroke family Shakespeare began in his play, Richard II. The story surrounds the recently crowned King Henry, known as Bolingbroke in Richard II, who faces challenges that threaten his territory and the future of the throne. The Percy family is plotting a rebellion against King Henry and his court. As things turn out, Henry refuses to acknowledge the fact that Henry Percy and his son, Hotspur, helped Henry seize the throne. Meanwhile, Henry\'s son, Prince Hal, abandons his court life to live amongst criminals and low-lifes of the tavern. Hal befriends Sir John Falstaff (a character who also appeared in Shakespeare\'s Merry Wives of Windsor seen earlier this season at the Hilberry), an elderly knight who has a hearty appetite for life and disrespects authority figures and morality. Becoming Hal\'s surrogate father, Falstaff helps Hal disregard his future responsibilities as king. King Henry is concerned that Hal will not be prepared to occupy the throne.

Henry IV, Part I is the second play in a series of plays written by Shakespeare covering the power struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York. The series includes: Richard II, Henry IV, Parts I & II, and Henry V. Throughout these plays, several kings rule over England including Richard II, King Henry IV and Prince Hal (who later becomes King Henry V).

Directed by Gillian Eaton, the cast includes: Bernard Kofi Andoh (Earl of Douglas), Mike Anthony (Sir John Falstaff), Christopher M. Bohan (Edward Mortimer/Poins), Tony Bozzuto (Prince John), Megan Callahan (Lady Mortimer), Nick DePinto (Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester), Andrew Huff (Sir Walter Blunt/Gadshill), Tiffanie Kilgast (Peto), Jennifer McConnell (Lady Percy), Patrick Moltane (\"Hotspur\"), Aaron T. Moore (Owen Glendower), Michael Brian Ogden (Sir Richard Vernon/Sheriff), Chris Roady (Prince Hal) and Mark Robson (King Henry IV). Designers for Henry IV, Part I are Larry Kaushansky (scenery), Thomas H. Schraeder (lighting), John D. Woodland (costumes) and Jeremy McDaniel (sound).

Eaton, an accomplished and award-winning British actor and director, has directed for the Hilberry Theatre in previous seasons, including Shakespeare\'s MacBeth and Caryl Churchill\'s Cloud Nine. Also, she has directed at several theatres in the Metropolitan Detroit area including the Jewish Ensemble Theatre and Performance Network. Eaton has received many awards including the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for acting and directing as well as the Best Actress Award from the Detroit Free Press for her performance of the title role in Elizabeth Rex at Performance Network. She was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Henry IV, Part I opens on Friday, March 4, 2005, and plays through Thursday, May 5, 2005, in rotating repertory with Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, I Hate Hamlet by Paul Rudnick and Misalliance by George Bernard Shaw.

Ticket prices range from $13-$22, with student rush tickets available the day of the performance for $10. Group discounts are also available. For tickets and further information, please call (313) 577-2972 or visit the Wayne State University Theatre box office at 4743 Cass Ave. on the corner of Cass and W. Hancock. Performance information may also be obtained by visiting our website at www.hilberry.com.

Season sponsored by Between the Lines, Dearborn Times-Herald and Metro Times.