Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre @ Navy Pier
Chicago, IL
May 17, 2006 - June 18, 2006
&
Royal Shakespeare Company
at Stratford-Upon-Avon
July 6, 2006 - July 15, 2006
 Photo courtesy Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Photographer: Liz Lauren |
"...the unexpected main event is Jeffrey Carlson’s Prince Hal. Inherently princely to begin with, this blond-locked actor lives all too comfortably in the role of a slumming royal who hangs out in a dive bar. With rigid posture and complete ownership of the language, he emerges as the anchor of Part 1 (a little unfair, as he’s supposed to be too rascally to anchor anything at this point)." -Christopher Piatt, Time Out Chicago "And handsome young Jeffrey Carlson makes a fresh and exciting debut as the nubile Prince Hal. Carlson is frisky, vulnerable, sexy and courageous as he takes Hal on a vivid journey from party boy to man and monarch." -Joe Stead, Steadstyle Chicago |
| "As Hal, Jeffrey Carlson’s agonized pain is palpable as he meekly accepts his father’s abuse — much of it justified, but not all. ...Carlson belies his striking good looks by skillfully delineating Hal’s likeable but devious nature." -Jonathan Abarbanel, Windy City Times |
| "...Henry, Prince of Wales (brought to life by the compelling Jeffrey Carlson." -Phil Potempa, The NWI Times |
"Jeffrey Carlson brings an unsettled intensity to Prince Hal." -Dan Zeff, Copely News Service |
| "Prince Hal--played by the compelling Jeffrey Carlson... Carlson, for example, has a plumby Juilliard accent but a Hollywood slacker's visage. That lands him somewhere between Christian Slater and Prince Charles. But it works. The man ages before our eyes, which is the first order of business." -Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune |
| "The most enjoyable facet of the play is watching the evolution of Prince Hal as he disavows his former dissolute drinking buddies to take his place as the rightful heir to the English throne... Jeffrey Carlson, who greatly resembles Leonardo DiCaprio, is a compelling and riveting Prince Hal. His turn from playboy to prince is fascinating to watch." -Betty Mohr, Daily Southdown |
 Photo courtesy Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Photographer: Liz Lauren |
| "Ideal for the role is Carlson, who arrives with a solid list of Broadway and regional credits -- and with the physical grace of a rock star, impressive vocal elegance and a chiseled face that is strong rather than pretty." -Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times |
| "As far as I’m concerned what they did was to cast brilliantly. Both Hotspur and Prince Hal, the two young men, are extremely well done by actors in from New York. Usually I’m hostile to anybody who’s bringing in actors from New York, but these two are really impeccable." -Kelly Keiman, WBEZ 'Eight Forty Eight' with Steve Edwards |
| "Poised and agile, Carlson is perfect as the tormented prince, wiser than he seems and more principled than he appears. His transformation — from a young man cowering before his raging father to the quietly composed Henry V, who confirms his reformation at Agincourt — is flawless." -Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald |
 Photo courtesy Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Photographer: Liz Lauren |
"The epic play is so engaging as it goes from comic scenes at the Tavern with Greg Vinkler’s terrific Falstaff to powerfully dramatic battle scenes featuring David Lively’s King Henry IV to coming of age bits from Jeffrey Carlson’s Prince Hal. This enjoyable marathon has enough variety, enough drama and enough stellar performances to feed the appetitive of the most sophisticated Shakespearian fan." -Tom Williams, Chicagocritic.com "Among the other arresting performances are Jeffrey Carlson’s watchful Hal, with his barely concealed vicious streak..." -Kerry Reid, Chicago Reader "Newcomers debuting with the company, Jeffrey Carlson and John Douglas Thompson, more than hold their own as the troubled prince and his highly accomplished rival Henry Percy." -Beverly Friend, Pioneer Press-News Star |