Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson to perform ‘Henry IV’

Falstaff will get the Tom Hanks treatment when the actor stars in the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles’ production of Henry IV.

The cast also will include actress Rita Wilson, Hanks’ wife. It is scheduled to run for 24 performances between June 5 and July 1 at the Japanese garden on the Veterans Affairs’ West Los Angeles campus.

Tony Award-winning director Daniel Sullivan (The Heidi Chronicles) condensed Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 to create a production that features Falstaff in all his villainous, comic glory, organisers said.

Hanks and Wilson are no strangers to the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, having served as hosts and participants in its Simply Shakespeare readings for 26 years. Others who have performed in that series include Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Will Smith and Anthony Hopkins.