Richard II at Astor Place Theatre

When is a king, a king no more?

The exciting new limited off-broadway engagement Richard II is coming to Astor Place Theatre this fall! Experience the venue like never before as it’s transformed into an epic battleground. At its heart, Richard II is a charming, powerful, and witty play about a disastrous King. Shakespeare’s infamous play follows two startlingly modern figures. Richard is an autocrat who thinks he has God’s approval to do whatever he wants, meanwhile Henry Bullingbrook is a tough pragmatist who has genuine authority. Don’t miss out on this modern epic story! Book your tickets now to avoid disappointment. 

Richard II Tickets

Richard II at Astor Place Theatre

Richard II is playing at Astor Place Theatre from 28 October to 30 November 2025. Opened in 1968, the off-broadway venue is “the city’s gutsiest classical-theater company” (Time Out). Located on 434 Lafayette Street in the NoHo section of Manhattan, Astor Place Theatre is the perfect venue to experience Richard II because it’s small enough for you to truly connect with the actors, but big enough for the drama to feel powerful. The East Village location gives the show a cool and contemporary edge, ideal for Craig Baldwin’s 1980s Manhattan adaption of the play.

Synopsis

Richard II tells the story of a ruler who thinks he is untouchable. Born into a position of power, he sees his crown as unquestionable but his reckless choices begin to alienate the very people he depends on. When he banishes his cousin Henry Bullingbrook and seizes his family’s fortune to fund his own ambitions, resentment spreads. Henry Bullingbrook then returns with allies who think Richard has crossed the line.

Pressure builds and Richard starts to lose his grip on authority. As allies abandon him, he is eventually forced to surrender the throne. When he is stripped of power, Richard begins to understand himself. He realises he’s not just an appointed leader, but a flawed man capable of mistakes, fear, and grief.

Set against the backdrop of 1980s Manhattan, this exciting new show reframes Shakespeare’s famous story of power, pride, and downfall as a modern tale of political collapse and personal reckoning. 

Creative Team

The production is adapted and directed by Craig Baldwin. The creative team also includes Arnulfo Maldonado (set design), Rodrigo Muñoz (costume design), Jeanette Yew (lighting design), Brandon Wolcott (sound design), and Rick Sordelet (fight and intimacy coordination).

Michael Urie takes the lead role as Richard II. He is a 2025 Emmy Award nominee for “Shrinking” and a three-time Drama Desk Award winner for his NYC stage work. The talented actor is also known for his Broadway performances in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and “Spamalot,” as well as his role as Marc St. James on the TV series Ugly Betty.

“I’m delighted to return to my favorite theatre company for this bucket-list role under the direction of my old friend and genius Craig Baldwin,” Michael Urie said in a statement. “We come back to Shakespeare over and over again to see what his take on the human condition can teach us about the moment we’re in and this play will certainly sing in 2025. With Red Bull and Craig, we’re making something intelligent, beautiful, sexy, funny — it’s gonna be rad.”

Other cast members include: Grantham Coleman as Henry Bullingbrook, Ron Canada as Gaunt / Bishop of Carlisle, Kathryn Meisle as the Duke of York, David Mattar Merten as Aumerle, as Lux Pascal as the Queen, James Seol as Green / Gardener 2, Daniel Stewart Sherman as Mowbray / Scroop, Ryan Spahn as Bagot / Welsh Captain, as well as Emily Swallow and Sarin Monae West as Bushy / Gardener 1.

History and Awards

The original play of Richard II was written by William Shakespeare around 1595. This history-based play chronicles the final years of King Richard II’s reign (which ended in 1399) and the political events that surround his downfall. The play has been revived a number of times over the years. This adaptation is the first full staged production of Richard II directed by Craig Baldwin. In true Craig Baldwin fashion, this is a fresh and bold perspective that is set in 1980s Manhattan.