Original review by Mike Schulz appeared in the River cities Reader on May 23rd, 2007.
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The Return of the King: "King Henry the Fifth," at the Rock Island Masonic Temple through May 26

With King Henry the Fifth, the overall effect of the Prenzie Players' Henriad trilogy can be demonstrated in about five minutes of stage time. Shakespeare's titular ruler, played by Jeff DeLeon, is invading the French province of Harfleur, and the scene begins with a literal explosion of sound - an edifice-shaking cannon boom, followed by the impassioned cries of the English and French soldiers engaging in battle. Over the next few minutes, the bellowing and booming hit greater and greater peaks of intensity, until finally Henry is standing at the gates of Harfleur, demanding that the governor surrender his township.

Original review by Ruby Nancy appeared in the Quad City Times, May 24th, 2007.
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Prenzie continues excellence with 'Henry the Fifth'

There are three basic challenges to writing the review for a show like “King Henry the Fifth,” the Prenzie Players show which opened last weekend.

For those who have not been following the progress of Prenzie’s “The Henriad” — a trio of Shakespeare plays that focus on war and English history — the three shows have been presented in one season, with continuous casting, and the results are absolutely remarkable. This last installment culminates a violent saga, featuring characters (and corpses of characters) from the two previous historical dramas as well as new ones.

The Henriad: King Henry the Fifth

Friday, May 18th 8pm: Post Show Discussion
Saturday, May 19th 8pm
Sunday, May 20th 8pm

Thursday, May 24th 8pm
Friday, May 25th 8pm
Saturday May 26th 8pm

Prenzie Players conclude their 2006-07 season with King Henry the Fifth, the final play in Shakespeare’s epic trilogy of power, love, and war, The Henriad--performed with a continuous cast for the first time in the area.

Magnificent and heroic, the conclusion, King Henry the Fifth, shows Hal, now King Henry the Fifth, undertaking what will be the greatest English military victory in history—the conquest of France. Filled with battles, glory, intrigue, and gorgeous language, the epic cycle concludes with the King’s attempt to woo his future wife, the beautiful Katherine of France. (article continues - please click 'read more'.)

Prenzie offers sprawling, brawling `Henry IV'
By Julie Jensen

The Prenzie Players' production of "King Henry the Fourth" offers the wildest action to date in the company's Shakespearean performances.

A substantial audience Friday night became part of the show, swiveling necks to locate the action and rising to applaud King Henry.

What's going on here? Henry IV drops his plan to lead an expedition to the Holy Land, in penance for the death of Richard II, when he learns of uprisings in Wales and Scotland.

Hotspur has conquered the Scots but won't give up his Scottish prisoners until Henry ransoms his wife's brother, Edmund Mortimer, who was captured by Owen Glendower, the Welsh warrior. The king refuses, and they decide to revolt.

Prenzie’s ‘Henry’ overflowing with humor, emotion

By Ruby Nancy | Thursday, March 01, 2007

The Prenzie Players have produced the second play of The Henriad, “King Henry the Fourth,” and has made it possible — for all of us who have been on the edge of our seats waiting for it — to sit back and enjoy.

It is a very different show than “Richard the Second,” which was loaded with high political drama and much soul-searching, but this new show in the trilogy does continue the story.

Henry IV, who replaced Richard II as King of England in the first drama, now faces a variety of threats to his own power. His wastrel eldest son, Henry of Monmouth, known as Hal, is perceived as weak, and the jockeying by others who would rather install themselves as the next king — plus the pressure for Hal to step up to the plate — make up much of the dramatic storyline in this show.

Katherine Beydler
Performance Review: Richard II
11/16/06

Before I ever saw the Prenzie Players' version of Richard II my acting teacher informed me that it would be Shakespeare as I had never seen it put on before. Since I had seen many different renditions of Shakespearean plays, I scoffed internally at that promise, not expecting anything much different from what I had seen in the past. My surety of the commonness of the play was slightly shaken upon seeing the unusual setting; there were bits and pieces of the set strewn throughout the audience, with a large throne at the front of the room. For example, directly behind me were a bed and stereo (which began to play "Over My Head" by The Fray during the prelude; definitely not ordinary).

The Henriad concludes with auditions for King Henry the Fifth by William Shakespeare co-directed by Cait Bodenbender and JC Luxton. The auditions will be held at the Masonic Temple 420 18th St. Rock Island, IL.

Saturday, March 10, 6pm-9pm
Sunday, March 11, 6pm-9pm
Tuesday, March 13, 6pm-9pm

The following six roles will be cast:
Duke of Exeter (probably male, but females will be considered)
Lewis the Dauphin/Governor of Harfleur (male)
Bishop of Ely/King Charles of France/English Soldier One (male)
Fluellen (probably male, but females will be considered)

Due to the horrendous weather this past weekend we have decided to add a matinee on Sunday, March 4th at 1pm (doors open at 12:30pm)!!

The Henriad: King Henry the Fourth
Prenzie Players present King Henry the Fourth, the second play in Shakespeare’s epic trilogy of power, love, and war, The Henriad--performed with a continuous cast for the first time in the area.

Raucous, hilarious, and heartbreaking, the next play, King Henry the Fourth, centers on the figure of the Prince of Wales, Hal, who, alienated from his cold father, spends his time in the company of thieves, drunkards, prostitutes, and a certain enormously fat knight long considered one of the greatest and wittiest characters in the theatrical repertory—Sir John Falstaff. As his distant and sick father falls ever closer to death, and his own succession nears, Hal must choose where his true allegiance lies—with his lowborn friends or the noble peers of his blood.

Throne for a Loop: King Henry the Fourth
at the Rock Island Masonic Temple through March 4
Written by Mike Schulz
Wednesday, 28 February 2007

King Henry the Fourth, the Prenzie Players' second presentation in their Henriad trilogy, opened on Friday, and let me preface by admitting that I have a tougher time composing reviews for this troupe's productions than for any other area organization. When faced, in show after show, with such imagination and daring and passion, where does one start?

With King Henry the Fourth, for instance, I could - and should - discuss the ingenuity of J.C. Luxton's pastiche-like adaptation, a model of dramatic clarity that effectively merges Shakespeare's Henry IV parts I and II into a seamless whole. I could expound on the gusto with which the Prenzies stage wildly contrasting elements: The battle scenes aren't just smartly choreographed, they're surprising; and the romantic encounters aren't just believable, they're erotic.

To all,

Due to the horrendous weather conditions, Prenzie Players regretfully announces the cancellation of tonight's performance of King Henry the Fourth. We do not wish to endanger either our actors, some of whom travel a fair distance to get to the space, nor our faithful fans. Please stay home with your families and stay safe.

The rest of the run will go as scheduled, and we hope to see you.

8pm, Sunday, February 25th
8pm, Thursday, March 1st
8pm, Friday, March 2nd
8pm, Saturday, March 3rd.

Sincerely,

Cait, Denise, Tracy and the cast.