Richard II

“Not all the water in the rough rude sea 
Can wash the balm off from an anointed king.”

When corrupt, despotic King Richard II ventures off to wage war, the banished Bolingbroke invades to reclaim his stolen inheritance. Embraced by an angry populace and co-opted by self-righteous, greedy nobles, he takes the throne and sets the stage for 32 years of civil war. The first chapter of Shakespeare’s four-part “game of thrones” examines issues critical to contemporary politics, from the embrace of autocracy, the power of wealth, and whether a nation divided can stand.

Since 1958, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival has delighted audiences with professional theatre on the CU Boulder campus. All productions will occur in the comfortable indoor Roe Green Theatre this season.

Performance dates and time

Saturday, July 5, 7 p.m. (Preview)
Sunday, July 6, 7 p.m. (Opening)
Friday, July 11, 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 12, 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 13, 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 16, 7 p.m.
Friday, July 18, 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 20, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 23, 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 24, 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 26, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 30, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 2, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 3, 1:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 8, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 10, 1:30 p.m.

CSF 2025 calendar

Buying options

Save big with season tickets! This show is available in the Any Day Will, Weekday Will, Choice 4+ or Choice 6+ packages or as an add-on to other season ticket orders.

Single tickets will go on sale beginning Monday, Dec. 2, 2024 at 10 a.m. Remind me! Single ticket discounts are available for preview nights (25%), groups (10-60%), youth ($10 and $20 tickets), seniors ($2 off), active military ($5 off), CU students and employees (25%) and season ticket (15-20%) orders. Free tickets for performance ushers.

Photo Caption: Lavour Addison (Macbeth, 2023)
Photo Credit: Jennifer Koskinen