Play On Podcasts Reimagines Richard the Third in Modern English | Shakespeare Meets San Francisco’s Latin Punk Revolution
What happens when Shakespeare’s most ruthless monarch is reborn in the heart of San Francisco’s Latin Punk movement? That’s the daring question answered by the latest installment in the Play On Podcast Series — a sonic retelling of Richard the Third, translated into modern English verse by acclaimed playwright Migdalia Cruz.
The result is a gripping, immersive audio experience that merges 16th-century ambition with 21st-century rebellion. In this world, guitar riffs clash with royal deceit, and the roar of revolution replaces the hush of a Tudor court.
The Play On Podcast Series has carved out a unique niche in the audio storytelling world. Produced by Next Chapter Podcasts in collaboration with The Hitz Foundation, the project reimagines Shakespeare’s works in modern poetic verse — preserving the rhythm and richness of the Bard while ensuring clarity for today’s listeners.
Each production offers:
A complete audio drama with cinematic sound design
Original music tailored to the world of the play
Dynamic performances by a diverse, contemporary cast
Accessible storytelling that bridges classical literature and modern audiences
Since its debut, Play On has been praised for breathing new life into Shakespeare’s plays — from Macbeth to The Tempest — and now, Richard the Third joins the lineup as one of its most ambitious adaptations yet.
Why Richard the Third?
Few of Shakespeare’s characters are as infamous — or as fascinating — as Richard, Duke of Gloucester. A cunning schemer, manipulator, and murderer, Richard claws his way to the throne through deceit and bloodshed.
The new Play On adaptation reframes this centuries-old power struggle within a gritty, urban soundscape, drawing parallels between medieval monarchy and modern systems of corruption, fame, and control.
As playwright Migdalia Cruz explains,
“Richard isn’t just a villain — he’s the ultimate survivor. In the world of punk rock and political rebellion, his voice feels raw, restless, and alarmingly familiar.”
The Modern Translation: Shakespeare in Today’s Language
Cruz’s translation transforms Shakespeare’s original iambic pentameter into modern verse — lyrical but accessible. The poetry remains, but the barriers of archaic language are gone.
Listeners no longer need a degree in Elizabethan English to understand Richard’s ambition or Lady Anne’s pain. Instead, the drama unfolds in crisp, emotive dialogue that captures the essence of Shakespeare’s intent while amplifying its relevance.
Key features of Cruz’s translation:
Clarity without compromise: Every line retains rhythm and metaphorical depth.
Modern idioms: Language feels natural, emotional, and urgent.
Inclusive tone: Designed for both Shakespeare scholars and first-time listeners.
A Punk Rebellion: Setting and Sound
From Court to Club: Richard’s World Reimagined
Director Lisa Rothe stages the action against the backdrop of San Francisco’s Latin Punk movement, transforming royal courts into underground clubs, coronations into concerts, and betrayals into beat-driven confrontations.
The Soundtrack of Power and Chaos
Composers David Molina and Lindsay Jones fuse distorted guitars, Latin percussion, and industrial synths to build a soundscape that is as volatile as Richard himself.
Punk energy meets royal politics
Raw audio textures mirror emotional turbulence
Cultural crossover celebrates Latinx artistry and identity
This reimagined world is a metaphorical battlefield — a place where authenticity fights against corruption, and ambition reverberates like feedback from a defiant amplifier.
The Story Revisited: Betrayal, Power, and Paranoia
The Rise of Richard
As the Duke of Gloucester, Richard’s physical deformity becomes his psychological weapon. Resentful of his brother King Edward’s health and happiness, he vows to “play the villain” and seize the throne by any means necessary.
In Cruz’s adaptation, Richard’s schemes unfold with modern ruthlessness:
He frames his brother Clarence for treason.
He manipulates Lady Anne, seducing her into marriage despite being responsible for her husband’s death.
He orchestrates the downfall of allies, using charm and intimidation to dismantle anyone in his path.
The Fall of a Tyrant
As Richard ascends to power, paranoia consumes him. Surrounded by enemies and haunted by guilt, his kingdom — and his mind — collapse. The punk setting amplifies this chaos: his reign feels like a festival on the edge of riot, a world where betrayal has its own soundtrack.
Lisa Rothe’s Direction: Emotion in Motion
Director Lisa Rothe guides the production with a cinematic ear and theatrical precision. Her direction focuses on emotion through sound — the whispers of manipulation, the clash of rebellion, the echo of guilt reverberating through every scene.
Rothe’s vision makes Richard the Third more than a play: it becomes a sonic film, where:
Listeners feel immersed in every confrontation.
The environment evolves with the characters’ moral decay.
Every sound choice — from footsteps to feedback — carries narrative weight.
Bringing Shakespeare to New Audiences
The Play On project was created to make Shakespeare’s plays more accessible, particularly to:
Students and educators
Podcast listeners seeking quality storytelling
Audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds
Theatre lovers exploring modern adaptations
By translating and producing the plays as full-cast dramas, the initiative turns classic literature into an immersive listening experience — perfect for commuters, classrooms, or late-night culture enthusiasts.
Behind the Scenes: The Creative Team
Migdalia Cruz — The Translator
A celebrated playwright, poet, and librettist, Cruz has earned international acclaim for her visceral, lyrical storytelling. Her translation retains Shakespeare’s poetic edge while imbuing it with her signature intensity.
Lisa Rothe — The Director
Rothe’s theatre direction blends empathy with experimentation. She creates a sonic world where Shakespearean drama meets cinematic storytelling, guided by rhythm, energy, and emotional honesty.
David Molina & Lindsay Jones — Sound Architects
Together, these composers weave the heartbeat of the production — mixing punk, Latin, and industrial influences to build a soundtrack that’s both haunting and exhilarating.
Cultural Resonance: Why It Matters Today
In a world obsessed with power, media, and image, Richard the Third feels strikingly modern. His manipulation of public perception — his ability to “perform” sincerity while concealing deceit — mirrors contemporary politics and celebrity culture.
Themes that echo in 2025:
The corrupting influence of ambition
The spectacle of leadership and image-making
The cost of truth in a world of manipulation
The struggle for identity in systems of control
This production invites listeners to reflect:
What happens when charisma replaces conscience — and power becomes the ultimate performance?
Play On Premium: How to Listen
Listeners can stream the entire Richard the Third series now on the Play On Podcast feed. For enhanced experiences:
Play On Premium offers ad-free listening
Patreon subscribers gain early access, bonus episodes, and exclusive merchandise
The fusion of punk aesthetics with Shakespearean tragedy may sound unconventional, but it perfectly captures the rebellious spirit of both worlds. Just as punk music once challenged social hierarchies, this adaptation challenges the hierarchy of language — making Shakespeare speak in the voice of the present.
In doing so, Play On Podcasts doesn’t just revive the classics — it redefines them.
Final Thoughts: Shakespeare for the Streaming Age
The success of Play On Podcasts lies in its ability to make ancient words resonate with modern emotions. Through Cruz’s translation, Rothe’s direction, and Molina and Jones’s sound design, Richard the Third becomes not a relic of the past, but a mirror for today’s power struggles.
For students, artists, and fans of audio drama, this production proves one truth:
Shakespeare doesn’t need to be simplified — only reimagined.
