Raking in money hand over fist with the biggest advance ticket sale in College dramatic history, the Harvard Theater Workshop tonight swings wide the doors of Sanders for the opening performance of Shakespeare's Richard II.

When the curtain goes up at 8:15 o'clock on an almost prop-less stage, the HTW players will face probably the largest first night audience over to assemble in the College, George Leiper '50, HTW publicity director, predicted last night.

Jerome T. Kilty '50, who takes the role of King Richard, has contributed heavily to the expected success of the production. In addition to the 40 pounds of padding and beard he carried last fall as Falstaff in Henry IV, he has sacrificed 17 pounds of his own flesh by concentrated diet and exercise for his new part.

Lavish Costumes

Other expenses include $1500 worth of costumes, designed by director Robert F. Keahey '45 and manufactured in Boston, brightly colored banners to substitute for backdrops, and a huge green-and-white-checkered carpet.

PBH will distribute 100 free passes for tomorrow night's show and 200 for the Saturday matinee to boys over 16 years old local settlement houses.