Royalty Free Theater and Irondale Ensemble Project to Co-Present THE WAR OF THE ROSES, 4/4-13

Royalty Free Theater and The Irondale Ensemble Project co-present THE WAR OF THE ROSES, a brand new adaptation of Shakespeare's oft overlooked historical trilogy. Opening night is April 4th at Irondale Center in Brooklyn, WAR OF THE ROSES runs April 4th-6th and 11th-13th, each evening at 8pm. Tickets are $18 and are available at www.Irondale.org or 866-811-4111.

THE WAR OF THE ROSES tells the story of how the Hundred Year's War between England and France sets in motion a bloody civil war in England. The death of Henry V creates a power vacuum that his son Henry VI ('in infant bands crown'd king'), is unable to fill. Throwing their weight behind either Henry or his rivals in the House of York, various figures in the English nobility scheme to enhance their own power and prestige. The play is a riveting story about how personal ambition and gamesmanship can tear a nation apart.

Directed by Sophia Watt with technical direction by Michaelangelo DeSerio and stage managed by Emily Juliani, the cast includes Ben Cole (Hartford Stage- CT Critics Circle Award for best newcomer for The Tempest), Jeremy Sevelovitz (Goodspeed Opera House, Theaterworks USA), Alex Levin (TUTs, Goodspeed Opera House), Christina King (Rattlestick Theater, The Actor's Temple, The Cohoes Music Hall), and Joel Dommel (Goodspeed Opera House). Along with Tim Rizzo, Jayce Johnson, Gerrard James, Nick Demarco and Morgan Hammel. Also featuring an original score by Ryan Beckley.

Royalty Free Theater is a new company formed by students from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford. Their focus is on reinterpreting classic works with an eye toward relevance and social commentary, as well as a commitment to collaboration and community engagement. The entire company is delighted to have a space as majestic as Irondale as the home for their inaugural project. Check us out at www.facebook.com/RoyaltyFreeTheater.

WAR OF THE ROSES runs April 4th-6th and 11th-13th, each evening at 8pm. Irondale Center is located at 85 South Oxford Street in Brooklyn, NY. -- accessible from the C train to Lafayette Avenue; the B, D, M, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, or 5 trains to Atlantic Avenue/Pacific Street, or the G train to Fulton Street. Tickets are $18, available at www.Irondale.org or 866-811-4111.