Some thoughts on Hamlet, opening October 13th!

From Liz Woodworth:

For those of you who know me, it’s no secret that I have had a long-time crush on a certain Danish prince.  Since reading Hamlet in high school, there was just something about him that got my attention.  Considering it is the most respected, revered, and performed play in the world, I guess I’m not alone.

When Noah and I first started having the conversation of maybe doing the play, we were giddy and skittish.  “I don’t know…should we?”  “Do you think we CAN?”  “Jeez, it would be so cool, but could we?”  When we finally set the date, I was elated. That, however, was immediately replaced by an overwhelming sense of fear. Could we pull it off?  What could we possibly say about this show that hasn’t already been said a thousand times? How can we make it relevant to our audience?

All those fears were obliterated five minutes into our first rehearsal. Lucky for me, I’ve been blessed with an AMAZING cast that has now settled into something fine and fierce. Everyone is committed, focused and bent on making this an amazing show. The process has been really fun and rewarding.

Without wanting to tempt fate, I have to say that it is rare in any project, let alone a theater production, that all of the necessary aspects come together easily and perfectly. So far, they have with Hamlet. The set, the costumes, the lighting…it may not be what is expected, but I’m betting the bank it will impress our savvy StageNorth audience.

Taking a nod from Gielgud’s Hamlet starring Richard Burton, we have decided to place the show in a more modern setting, using minimal sets and props.  The hope here is to put the emphasis on Shakespeare’s glorious dialogue.   I feel it is the best way to “serve the play,” an important phrase I learned from a mentor of mine back in college.

I can’t wait to share this show with our community!  It’s so special already; I can’t imagine how stellar it will be in just under 5 weeks!