By Tierney McGilvray
Contributing Writer
As students were relaxing and enjoying their summers, theater director Ed Simone, Ph.D, and designer and technical director Rebecca Misenheimer were busy sketching, planning, designing and discussing this year’s only fall theatre production: Hamlet.
According to Simone, Hamlet hasn’t been produced by students since at least 1999. Having focused solely on comedies in the 2015-16 productions, and considering the steady increase of interest among Bonaventure students studying theatre, no other time seemed more fitting to tackle the world’s most famous play, Simone said. Which is perfect, because 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
Actors began rehearsals on Sept. 6 and they will continue to rehearse until the time of the play.
Bryce Spadafora, a junior communication and theatre double major, cast as Hamlet, describes their hard work as “a big commitment.” Aside from the five-day-a-week normal rehearsals, there will also be fight choreography rehearsals taking place, instructed by Dusten Welch, a certified fight choreographer from Cleveland. Each weekend, this will add an additional eight hours of work for the fighting members of the cast, focusing specifically on sword fighting.
The audience can expect the classical elements of Hamlet, such as Shakespearean language, with an emphasis on the familial relationships that took place in the classic, Simone said. Fortinbras, Voltemand, Cornelius and the English Ambassador’s characters have been eliminated from this production for that reason.
Another alteration to the production is the changing of characters’ genders, one that Misenheimer refers to as “gender bending.”
Four of the characters, originally played by men, will be played by women.
Simone explained that this change “…not only provides opportunity to more of our actors, but opens up some wonderful character possibilities.”
The modern, abstract design planned by Misenheimer and the technology and design crew promises an open landscape, paying specific attention to the use of lighting and odd platform levels. Misenheimer explained that this set up still takes place in Elsinore, but the [costume and set] design “will not entertain a specific time period.” This will offer the production a modern edge.
Simone and Spadafora advise the audience to approach the play with an open mind.
“Hamlet is 400 years old, but the story is as contemporary as any,” Simone said.
This fast-paced, two-hour production will be sharp, passionate and even comical at times.
This famous play offers lessons and themes relatable to the entire audience, Simone added.
Hamlet will run Nov. 9 through 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Garret Theater.
mcgilvts15@bonaventure.edu
