The blonde, classically-trained actress Johanna Parker will play the titular role in Shakespeare's Henry V when it opens Jan. 12 at Blue Sphere Alliance for a one-month run. Rich Embardo directs.

Embardo explains the concept for this new production: "We are doing this as if a road company is coming in to do a performance of Henry. So as the audience is led into the theatre, they will be seeing us set up for the upcoming show...The show is also cast gender blind. The fact that we establish this ensemble as a company makes that very easy to understand. We are simply a band of actors and gender doesn't come into play casting-wise."

The cast also includes Devin Price, Jeana Blackman, Vanessa Giorgio, Tricia Dong, Ben Mesmer, Ben Crowley, Scott McClaine, Tim Karasawa, Jason Waters, Giampiero Judica and Ada Luz Pia.

Embardo has directed several previous productions at Blue Sphere, including its acclaimed revival of Tracers. He also directed and produced numerous shows for the Living Edge Theatre Company, a group he co-founded.

Blue Sphere Alliance is located at 6760 Lexington Ave. For tickets and information call (818) 906-0675. — By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent