The Jack O'Brien staging will begin in October at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. The show, which melds Henry IV, Part 1 and Henry IV, Part 2 (both circa 1597) into one experience, will run roughly four hours.

As previously reported Kline will be the fat knight, Falstaff, and Easton the title monarch. Crudup, last seen on Broadway in The Elephant Man, will play bonny Prince Hal. Hawke, who acted Off-Broadway in 2001 in Sam Shepard's The Late Henry Moss, is cast in the plum role of fiery rebel, Hotspur.

The works focuses on the familial, royal and political conflicts surrounding Henry Bolingbroke, the king, who usurped the crown from Richard II (all detailed in Shakespeare's Richard II). Prince Hal, the king's son, is callow and hangs out with a group of jolly reprobates led by Falstaff, while privately vowing to himself that he will one day mend his ways and assume the throne. Meanwhile, that throne is beset upon from all sides. The greatest threat comes from Henry Percy, son of the Earl of Northumberland, and known as Hotspur. He joins forces with leaders in Scotland and Wales in a rash attempt to unseat Henry. The conflict eventually leads to a battle to the death between Hal and Hotspur. O'Brien previously directed the work at The Globe Theatres. O'Brien is white-hot of late, having helmed The Full Monty, The Invention of Love, Hairspray and Imaginary Friends.

Kline last appeared on stage in the celebrated Central Park rending of Chekhov's The Seagull, opposite Meryl Streep. His last LCT credit was another Chekhov, Ivanov. His last Shakesperean role was Hamlet, performed Off-Broadway many years back.

Easton has found a steady home at Lincoln Center. After winning a Tony for his performance in Tom Stoppard's The Invention of Love, he was cast in this season's Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Toward the Somme. He has also acted on Broadway in Noises Off.