Patrone said the Mainstage is the only place at Harvard where the musical can achieve its desired effect of switching from a huge spectacle to a sense of isolation and alienation immediately.

“The set itself and the feeling of the show needed the Mainstage,” Patrone said. “No other space would work.”

Richard III, which will run from April 25-May 3, will be directed by outgoing HRDC Vice President Kenneth P. Herrera ’03 and produced by Michael M. Donahue ’05.

Set at the fall of the Aztec empire, the production will aim to intertwine text and culture, religion and society. Herrera said he hopes to bring the Aztec culture to life with music and dance, colorful costumes and elaborate sets—including a large temple.

“Ken does nothing but theater. Ken is theater,” Donahue said of his director. “He has a knack for beautiful imagery, an incredible capability to use imagery to tell a story—especially with Aztec culture which is already so rich.”

Herrera said he envisions Richard III as a man caught in a single-mindedly religious society. In order to gain political power, Richard exploits the religiosity of the society, using ritual sacrifice and violence.

Upon achieving political supremacy, he finds he cannot escape this religious worldview. Ultimately his reliance on religion causes his defeat to Richmond (Hernando Cortés) and thus the downfall of the entire Aztec empire.

“The play is dark in imagery and subject matter. There’s also a danger of the audience being alienated from things not palatable to a Western audience, like ritual sacrifice,” Herrera said. “I want to capture the beauty of Aztec society. The light, vibrant aspects of the culture will provide a good contrast.”

Herrera said he is “excited, honored and thrilled” to have the chance to direct on the Mainstage.

“There are lots of challenges that artistically I am ready to face,” he said.

—Staff writer Jeslyn A. Miller can be reached at jmiller@fas.harvard.edu.