Our 2026 free summer show in Deering Oaks Park,
Portland, Maine will be
HENRY IV, PART ONE
Directed by Peter Brown
Musical direction by Sam Finn Cutler
Fight choreography by Drew Copeland & Owen Philip Arthur
A restless prince forges his own path between his father’s call to honor and the larger-than-life shenanigans of Shakespeare’s greatest comic creation, Sir John Falstaff. From the tavern to the battlefield, HENRY IV, PART ONE blends uproarious comedy with the thrill of sword fights in a story of fathers, sons, and the making of a king. This rollicking open-air outdoor production features live music played on multiple instruments, with hits ranging from the 1960s-2010s. From July 9 to August 1, Fenix Theatre Company invites you to experience its 18th annual summer tradition of free Shakespeare in Deering Oaks Park!
July 9 - August 1
at the bandstand in Deering Oaks Park
Thursday July 9 at 6:30pm*
Friday July 10 at 6:30pm
Saturday July 11 at 6:30pm
Thursday July 16 at 6:30pm**
Friday July 17 at 6:30pm
Saturday July 18 at 6:30pm
Thursday July 23 at 6:30pm***
Friday July 24 at 6:30pm
Saturday July 25 at 6:30pm
Thursday July 30 at 6:30pm
Friday July 31 at 6:30pm
Saturday August 1 at 6:30pm
Rain Dates to be added if needed: Sundays July 19 & August 2 at 6:30pm
*7/9 - Fenix Young Company performance at 6:20pm
**7/16 - Audio Description available
***7/23 - ASL Interpretation provided
You can always just show up and do NOT need a ticket, but we highly recommend making a free reservation using the button below. That way you'll get show reminders, and we can email you directly in case of cancellation due to weather. You don't need to check in when you arrive!
To reduce cost barriers for our community members, we operate on a donate-what-you-can model rather than charging a ticket fee. We gratefully accept cash/check/Venmo donations in the Park on each show night, or you can donate online at any time using the button below. Suggested donation $25/person. Thank you for your support!
Meet the Cast
Keating Babcock (he/him)
as PRINCE HAL
Keating is very excited to be making his first appearance with Fenix Theatre Company. Most recently, you may have seen him as Tommy in Grand Horizons (Good Theater). Other credits include Patrick in The View Upstairs (Second Story Theater Company), Prince Charming in Snow White (Maine State Music Theater) and Ted Hanover in Holiday Inn (Biddeford City Theater). Outside of theater, Keating loves canoeing, sushi and watching TV.
Casper Barnard
as POINS, WESTMORELAND & PERCY SERVANT
Casper is delighted to be in this summer's production of Henry IV, Part One. A long time friend of The Bard, Cas is overjoyed to get to play with more of his beloved (and less beloved) characters. Most recently, Casper was in Macbeth as The Porter and Hecate at Portland Players, and Lyric Theater's Pride and Prejudice. Casper plays the piano, knits sweaters, bakes bagels, attempts to garden, and sings in Rainbow Arts Collective's Lavender Choir. Thank you to everyone coming out to enjoy Shakespeare as (in my opinion) it was meant to be enjoyed - outside, with lots of music, and (hopefully) lot of laughter. Thank you Izzy for consistently helping me learn my lines and for your unwavering support. I love you babe.
Josh Brassard (he/him)
as WORCESTER & GLENDOWER & BARDOLPH
Josh Brassard is an actor, playwright and software engineer based in the Greater Portland area. He is thrilled to be returning to the park in HENRY IV, PART ONE, last appearing as Laertes in Fenix's production of HAMLET in 2015. He has also appeared locally with Acorn Productions, Mad Horse Theatre Company, Maine Playwrights Festival, Saco River Theater, Schoolhouse Arts Center and the Theater Project, to name a few. He co-founded Pie Man Theatre Company in 2015, helping to run the company until 2018 (during which time most of his acting work was done under that shingle). He was also a member of Acorn Productions' Naked Shakespeare Ensemble from 2011-15, and again from 2018-20. He currently serves as a co-director for the PortFringe Festival.
Genevieve Breitbach (she/her)
as LADY PERCY & VERNON & NORTHUMBERLAND
Genevieve is thrilled to make her Fenix debut alongside this brilliantly "gorgeous as the sun at midsummer" cast and crew! She has been fortunate enough to have been a part of quite a few local productions, most recently including: The Little Prince (Maddy's Theater/CMTM); The 39 Steps (Out There Theater Co.); Peter and the Starcatcher (Portland Players); A Christmas Carol: The Musical, and The Sound of Music (Lyric Music Theater); as well as two special performances at PortFringe and a few seasons of the Maine Playwrights Festival (Acorn Productions). She also loves working at Stages Youth Theater and Portland Stage, encouraging young actors to shine out as their best selves! "War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!" - Edwin Starr
Drew Copeland (he/him)
as DOUGLAS & PETO | Fight Choreographer
Drew is excited for his first production with Fenix Theatre. He’s a performer, choreographer, and gymnastics instructor based in Scarborough. He is a proud member of the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD). Recent projects include the Portland Players’ Macbeth (Fight Director/Siward/Murderer 3) and The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (Fight choreographer). He would like to thank Peter Brown, His family, and most importantly his wife Rebecca. Thank you for your continued love and support.
Sam Finn Cutler (he/him)
as HOTSPUR & TAVERN MUSICIAN | Music Director
Sam is an actor, musician, and Shakespeare enthusiast who is happily returning for a second round with Fenix after last year's As You Like It. Originally a Vermonter, Sam studied theater at NYU Tisch, pursued an acting career in New York City, then ultimately gave up on that and moved to Maine. Love to his friends, his family, his partner, and the bard.
Mary Fraser (she/her)
as MISTRESS QUICKLY
Mary is a Portland based actor who is totally stoked to be joining the cast of Henry IV, Part One with Fenix. Recent productions include Patricia Mullholland’s Solitude of Space: Emily Dickinson, the Woman, the Poet and Women Laughing Alone with Salad with Mad Horse Theater in 2025. Mary will join the cast of Seven Sisters with Dramatic Repertory Company this fall. So much love to Bill and Lillian - the finest kind.
Michael Howard
as SIR JOHN FALSTAFF
Ah, to return to Portland, Maine after ten years—as a part of the splendid Fenix Theatre Company! And as the portly, laudable (for he only offends the virtuous, Sir John Falstaff). Sir John ranks with Hermon Goering in Two, Roy Cohn in Angels in America, and, certainly, King Lear, as favorite roles in his life. Special thanks to another favorite role, as husband to Linda Ford, back in San Antonio, and to Peter Brown and my great friend, Kevin O’Leary, in Portland, Maine.
Rachel Morris (she/her)
as LADY MORTIMER & PRINCE JOHN & SHERIFF & TRAVELLER
Rachel Morris holds a BFA in Theater Performance from Hofstra University and is so excited to be making her Portland theater debut this summer in Deering Oaks Park! Her recent theater endeavors include directing for Brunswick’s Midcoast Youth Theater, working with many talented children, who inspire her daily. She would like to extend her heartfelt gratitude to all of the cast, crew, and beyond who made this show possible.
Kevin O'Leary (he/him)
as KING HENRY IV
Kevin is thrilled to be back with his Fenix pals. Previous Fenix credits include The Three Sisters (2017), Much Ado About Nothing (2016), and Hamlet (2015). KO’s love of Shakespeare can be traced back to the summer of 1970 when, at the age of 11, he watched—in awe—as his uncle, the late Robert Joyce (co-founder of The Theatre at Monmouth along with the late, great Dick Sewell) directed Romeo and Juliet.
As a playwright, his most recent productions include God Less America (2024), Anonymous: a tale of Mary Shelley (2023), and Mars (2022). His one-act, Gloria Anderson, won the “Audience Choice Award” at the Maine Playwrights Festival in 2019. His new full-length, Alice’s Threshold, premieres this September 30th, starring Marie Stewart Harmon, Sean Ramey, and Tyler Costigan, and is directed by James Hoban. KO is thrilled to be acting—once again—alongside his dear friend, “Sir John,” Michael Howard, and is honored to be directed by his longtime friend and collaborator—the sweet Peter Brown. KO is Henry Gabriel O’Leary’s “Baba”. Thank you for supporting free, local, professional theatre in Deering Oaks! Now, spread the word!
For Tina Packer.
Owen Philip Arthur (he/him)
as SIR WALTER BLUNT & MORTIMER | Fight Choreographer
Owen is absolutely thrilled to be making his Fenix Theatre debut, and only mildly mortified that said debut involves singing. A graduate of MMC's BFA Acting program, Owen has been performing in NYC, Nashville, and most recently Maine. Prior local credits include Romeo & Juliet (Paris), Skylight (Edward), and The Lion in Winter (John). When not acting and playing with swords, you can find him teaching at the rock climbing gym, studying for UNE DPT exams, and playing with swords. All love and thanks to the wonderful Crew, the Cast, and the Ferry folk.
Where to find us
Henry IV Part 1 performs on the bandstand in Deering Oaks Park, right off the parking paths before the State Street exit. It's the same location as Comedy of Errors (2021) and
Shakespeare Abridged (2023).
There is parking along the paths in Deering Oaks Park when you enter from Deering Avenue. You can also try parking on State Street, Park Ave, or Deering Ave.
Meet the Production Team
Peter Brown (he/him)
Director
Peter Brown has been associated with Fenix Theatre Company since its second season, when he played Hortensio in The Taming of the Shrew and directed A Midsummer Night's Dream (2009). He has led the company as Artistic Director since 2019. Many of Peter's favorite theatre experiences have occurred on the Fenix stage: playing Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing (2016) and Malvolio in Twelfth Night (2010), and creating Fenix’s recurring holiday offering, 12th Night: A Holiday Musical (2021-2023). Peter fell in love with Henry IV, Part 1 many eons ago when he read it in high school, and it has been on his production bucket list ever since. He is overjoyed to finally be sharing his love of the play with Fenix audiences, after starting rehearsals for a production in 2020 that had to be canceled due to the pandemic. Peter's most rewarding role will always be "Dad" to Crosby, Lexton and Jordy.
Special Thanks
Temple Beth El
Portland Parks Department
Portland Stage
Lyric Music Theater
Kat Moraros Photography
Patricia Mulholland & Steven Fox
