‘Richard III’ manipulates, marries and murders a path
to the top beginning Feb. 14 at A Noise Within
PASADENA, Calif (December 10, 2025) –– Ambition knows no mercy. Guillermo Cienfuegos returns to A Noise Within to direct a streamlined, high-velocity, darkly entertaining take on William Shakespeare‘s Richard lll, re-set in 1970s Britain. Starring Ann Noble as the irresistible schemer audiences love to hate, the production runsFebruary 14 through March 8 at the company’s home in Pasadena. Low-priced previews begin February 8.
Charismatic and contemptible in equal measure, burdened by physical challenges and consumed by ambition, Richard claws his way to the crown with unrelenting ferocity, removing all obstacles, and all people, in his path. Manipulating, marrying and murdering his way to the top with unmatched charm and zeal, Richard turns the audience into his unwitting accomplice: we root for him even as his plans grow ever more monstrous.
“Richard III is the original Game of Thrones,” notes Cienfuegos. “Anyone expecting a dusty, Shakespearean history is going to be very surprised. This production will feel more cinematic, like a Martin Scorsese or a Quentin Tarantino film, and move like a freight train. A short recap at the top of the show will orient the audience so they can focus fully on Richard’s ruthless pursuit of the crown.”
“People don’t realize how funny this play is,” adds A Noise Within co-artistic director Geoff Elliott. “Richard is one of Shakespeare most darkly comic characters.”
Joining Noble on the ANW stage are Lynn Robert Berg as Buckingham; Lesley Fera as Queen Elizabeth; Neill Fleming as King Edward IV; Samuel Garnett as Hastings; Wesley Guimarães as Richmond; Veralyn Jones as the Duchess of York; Trisha Miller as Queen Margaret; Alex Neher as Rivers; Tony Pasqualini as Stanley; Erika Soto as Lady Anne; and Randolph Thompson as Clarence. The ensemble also features Brendan Burgos, Vic Crusaos, Dominick Jaramillo, Micah Lanfer and Sean Umeda.
The crack creative team includes scenic designer Angela Balogh Calin; lighting designer Ken Booth; sound designer Christopher Moscatiello; projections designer Nick Santiago; costume designer Christine Cover Ferro; wig and makeup designer Tony Valdés; and properties designer Stephen Taylor. Jonathan Rider is fight choreographer, Andrea Odinov is dialect coach, and Dr. Miranda Johnson–Haddad is the dramaturg. Sami Hansen is the production stage manager, assisted by Hope Matthews.
A Noise Within has been called “an oasis for those who love classic stories” by the Los Angeles Times and is a leading regional producer based in Pasadena, California. Under the leadership of Elliott and Rodriguez-Elliott, the award-winning resident company is committed to representing the entire community at its state-of-the-art, 324-seat performance space. In addition to producing world-class performances of classic theater, the organization runs robust education programs with the goal of inspiring diverse audiences of all ages. ANW believes in working hard on its anti-racist practice across the whole organization. By interpreting its mission to fully engage audiences through community and artist-centered work in multiple creative disciplines, ANW is striving to be a theater that better serves the entire community.
Performances of Richard lll take place February 14 through March 8 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. (no matinee on Saturday, Feb.14). Four preview performances take place on Sunday, Feb, 8 at 2 p.m.; and on Wednesday, Feb. 11; Thursday, Feb. 12; and Friday, Feb. 13 each at 7:30 p.m.
A one-hour INsiders Discussion Group will take place prior to the matinee on Sunday, Feb. 15 beginning at 12:30 p.m. Post–performance conversations will take place every Friday (except the preview) and Sunday, Feb. 22. Student matinees are scheduled on select weekdays at 10:30 a.m.; interested educators should email [email protected].
Tickets start at $41.75 (including fees). Student tickets start at $20. Tickets to the previews on Wednesday, Feb. 11 and Thursday, Feb. 12 will be Pay What You Choose, with tickets starting at $10 (available online beginning at 12 p.m. the Monday prior to that performance). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.
A Noise Within is located at 3352 E Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107. Richard lll is recommended for mature audiences ages 14 and up. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (626) 356–3100 or go to anoisewithin.org.
Details for Calendar Listings
‘Richard lll’
WHAT:
Ambition knows no mercy. A Noise Within presents a streamlined, high-velocity, darkly entertaining take on William Shakespeare’s Richard lll, reset in 1970s Britain. Charismatic and contemptible in equal measure, burdened by physical challenges and consumed by ambition, Richard claws his way to the crown with unrelenting ferocity, removing all obstacles, and all people, in his path. Manipulating, marrying and murdering his way to the top with unmatched charm and zeal, Richard turns the audience into his unwitting accomplice: we root for him even as his plans grow ever more monstrous.
WHO:
• Written by William Shakespeare
• Directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos
• Starring Lynn Robert Berg, Lesley Fera, Neill Fleming, Samuel Garnett, Wesley Guimarães, Veralyn Jones, Trisha Miller, Alex Neher, Ann Noble, Tony Pasqualini, Erika Soto, Randolph Thompson
• Featuring Brendan Burgos, Vic Crusaos, Dominick Jaramillo, Micah Lanfer, Sean Umeda
• Presented by A Noise Within, Geoff Elliot and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, producing artistic directors
WHEN:
Previews Feb. 8 – Feb. 13
• Sunday at 2 p.m. / Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Performances Feb. 14 – March 8:
• Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7: 30 p.m. / Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. (no Saturday matinee on Feb. 14)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• A one-hour INsiders Discussion Group will take place prior to the matinee on Sunday, Feb. 15 beginning at 12:30 p.m.
• Post-performance conversations with the artists every Friday (except the preview) and Sunday, Feb. 22.
• Student matinees are scheduled on select weekdays at 10:30 a.m. Interested educators should email [email protected].
WHERE:
A Noise Within
3352 E Foothill Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
TICKETS:
• Tickets start at $41.75 (including fees)
• Student tickets start at $20
• Wednesday, Feb. 11 and Thursday, Feb. 12 (previews): Pay What You Choose starting at $10 (available online beginning the Monday prior to that performance)
• Discounts available for groups of 10 or more
HOW:
anoisewithin.org
(626) 356-3100
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