Overview
- Red Bull Theater’s revival opened Nov. 10 at the Astor Place Theatre and is scheduled to run through Dec. 14.
- Director-adapter Craig Baldwin resets the play in a quasi-1980s world, framing the action as flashback and keeping Richard onstage as a constant observer.
- The production moves Richard’s Act V Pomfret monologue to the opening, staging Urie inside a clear box that doubles as prison, platform, club and sauna.
- Design choices include disco-era cues, an Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams” motif, and gender-conscious casting with Kathryn Meisle as a reimagined Duchess of York.
- Critical response is divided, with some praising Urie’s clarity and the taut deposition scene while others fault his showiness and argue the concept drains the play of majesty.