February 2009

Issue 1, Volume 7

If the world really is a stage, and all of the people are simply players, then as a player on my own stage I witnessed a local play-within-the-play-of-my-life that touched me. For two weekends the Schorr Family Theatre in Johnson City presented a retelling of Hamlet as part of their “Shakespeare Alive!” program. I have never seen Shakespeare performed live, so having it close to campus was a wonderful opportunity. Despite it being the first time, the production did not live up to my expectations. I pictured magnificent sets, British accents, and at least a three-hour run time. None of this occurred at the Johnson City Hamlet, though the production did have its moments.

The Schorr Family Theatre is housed in what was previously the Village of Johnson City Municipal Building. The building's exterior was quaint and deceiving. The inside was quite chilly on that winter evening, but the décor brightened one's mood. How could you not smile in a place where they have a framed silver stiletto next to the women's room? Upon entrance you can grab a snack at the charming bar and then walk right into the open air theatre.

The show was directed by Rosey Hay of the REV Theatre Company. She has previously directed at Julliard and worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company. When she came to my lecture earlier she said she wanted to focus on the spiritual journey of Hamlet by cutting the immense show into only the sections covering the human relationships. By removing the politics, war, and Fortinbras, Hay was able to bring Hamlet down to a runtime of just over two hours. The only embellishments went to the ivory and black gowns, tails, corsets, and patent leather boots for costumes, setting the play sometime during the Victorian era. Hay incorporated the use of only thrones as the indoor set, these were brought into the wings where the actors waited in character for their cues, and darker lighting for the outdoor scenes. One surprise was the opening of the stage for the graveyard scene, aiding to Hamlet's Yorick speech.

It was with this empty stage that the actors were able to lay their emotions bare for all to see. So much of this production of Hamlet was full of crying and screaming. As played by Rudy Caporaso, this Hamlet resembled a Tim Burton character with his ever-so-puffy, ragged, black shirts to signify how much of an outcast he is in Elsinore. In his state of grief he looks as though he has not shaved or showered in quite some time, begging the question as to why the adorable and prim Ophelia would ever even look at him. I was overwhelmed by his incessant, childish crying and daddy-issues; this Hamlet truly wants to be loved. But despite the grief, this Hamlet is very funny, like when he presents Polonius with chewed-up paper or drags Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to the ground in his bouts of insanity.

I never felt the connection of empathy for Hamlet that I did for Ophelia. Emma Orelove portrayed Ophelia as naïve and delicately longing for love, perhaps another reason the virginal girl is drawn to the emo prince. When her madness over the loss of Hamlet and her father takes hold, Ophelia's crying and anguish felt real; this actress truly knows how to hit you in the gut.

The other actors all added life to their respective characters. King Claudius was charming and Queen Gertrude seemed to be blossoming with new love. Polonius had roly-poly sense of aggravation throughout the play, as demonstrated by his crooked bow tie. The actors who played Laertes and Horatio respectfully played Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern, allowing them to have befuddled fun as the men paid to observe Hamlet; their top hats and sunglasses reminded me of the blind mice from Shrek. All of their mannerisms enhanced the play, but the production fell short with the final fight scene which was so badly choreographed that I did not even notice when Claudius was stabbed.

I did enjoy this production of Hamlet even though the titular character was not who I had always pictured. I think that the theatre did succeed in bringing Shakespeare alive, for reading the play still cannot give you the same experience as seeing it live. Should the Schorr Family Theatre put on another production of Shakespeare, I will gladly drive out to watch. If you are ever in the mood for a charming atmosphere and near professional acting head to Johnson City and spend the evening at the Schorr Family Theatre.

Kelsey is a junior majoring in English Literature. She is currently taking Shakespeare with Professor Vos.