Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival opened its 2023 season with William Shakespeares "Henry IV, Part 2" through June 11 in the Schubert Theater, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, Center Valley.
"Henry IV, Part 2" is being presented in the festivals "Extreme Shakespeare" style, with actors rehearsing the way it is believed Shakespeare's company would have. Actors arrive with their lines learned, rehearse on their own without a director, raid the costume shop and open in a matter of a few days. As a result, the production has a bit of a flying-by-the-seat-of-the-pants feel but contains strong performances and many powerful moments.
"Henry IV, Part 2" continues the coming-of-age tale begun in previous seasons "King Richard II" and "Henry IV, Part 1." By the beginning of the play, King Henry IV is in failing health as he faces a rebellion, led by the Archbishop of York (Jeffrey Dunston), Lord Mowbray (Gina Lamparella), Lord Hastings (Christopher Patrick Mullen) and Lord Bardolph (Patrick Toon). 
Jim Ireland gives Henry a focused gravity and a steely sense of purpose even as he shows how the kings dying body is giving out. His deathbed senses are intense and moving.
As Henrys son Prince Hal, Eli Lynn begins as the carefree Hal from "Henry IV, Part 1" but develops a gravitas as the prince faces his fathers mortality and the daunting weight of the crown. In earlier scenes, Lynn gives Hal a playfulness, particularly in scenes with his old friend Ned Poins, played with impishness by Gabe Moses.
However, the real main character in the show is neither king nor prince, but the devious John Falstaff. In "Henry IV, Part 1," Falstaff relentlessly cultivated his relationship with Prince Hal, and as Part 2 begins, he is continuing on that path, courting the prince as he slanders him behind his back.
John Ahlins Falstaff is cunning, narcissistic and shameless in his self-serving approach to life, from running out on his debts, to stringing along women and manipulating the people around him.
Ahlins portrayal is larger than life as the amoral Falstaff blusters and bullies his way through life. When he finally, gets his comeuppance, he is shocked and in disbelief that he could ever be held accountable.
Those Falstaff has betrayed include Mistress Quickly played with confident brazeness by Kimberly Gilbert; and the prostitute Doll Tearsheet, who Taylor Congdon plays as mercurial, switching from displaying dangerous rage to fawning.
Other characters in Faltsaffs circle include Anthony Lawtons cheerfully overbearing Justice Shallow, and his cousin Silence, played amusingly by Chistopher Patrick Mullen, who take him from a lisping cripple to dancing a jig. Johnny Drumgoole is outrageously hot-headed as Pistol who challenges Falstaff.
As Falstaffs nemesis the Lord Chief Justice, Eric Hissom is upright and honest, even when dealing with the infuriating Falstaff.
A betrayal which saves Henrys kingdom is executed not by Henry or Hal, but by Henrys other son Prince John, played with arrogance and cold calculation by Ty Lane.
The final scene nicely caps the arc of Prince Hal as he completely transforms into King Henry V.
Audiences can enjoy live music and a variety of dining options "on the green," and a free prologue for insights into the play held in the theater 45 minutes prior to curtain. There will be a talk back with the actors after the show on June 8 and an audio described performance at 2 p.m. June 10.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. May 31, June 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9; 2 p.m. June 3 and 11; 2 and 7:30 p.m. June 4 and 10; and 6:30 p.m. June 6.
Tickets are $45 for adults, $42 for seniors and $39 for students.
For information, call 610-282-9455, or go to pashakespeare.org.