Omar Robinson Set for Actors' Shakespeare Project's Hamlet
at the Church of the Covenant.
(photo provided by Actors' Shakespeare Project)
The Actors' Shakespeare Project begins performances of Hamlet tonight at the Church of the Covenant.
William Shakespeare's tragedy follows the titular character, tormented by his father’s untimely death, struggling to discern reality from illusion in the rotten state of Denmark, as he copes with the loss of his father, his mother’s remarriage, romantic complications, friendly betrayals, and reflections on life’s biggest questions. Doug Lockwood directs.
Omar Robinson leads the cast as Hamlet. He is joined by Marianna Bassham (Gertrude), Richard Snee (Polonius), Peter G. Andersen (Horatio), Rory Boyd (Player King), Poornima Kirby (Ophelia), Ross MacDonald (Claudius), and Alexander Platt (Laertes).
Lockwood said of his approach to the text, "My edits of the script really seek to put the focus on the family and the friendships in Hamlet’s life. At the end of the play, Hamlet urges Horatio to live and 'tell my story.' That is what I see as the leaping off point for this production. It is really Horatio’s memory of the events that happened." He went on to say, "The world of this play is the beautiful Church of the Covenant on Newbury Street. Spiritual strains and conflicts throughout the text in this holy space will enhance Shakespeare’s words."
The creative team includes Jenna McFarland Lord (scenic design), Deb Sullivan (lighting design), Jessica Pribble (costume design), Arshan Gailus (sound design), Ted Helwett (violence designer), Annie Thompson (vocal coach), and Adele Nadine Traub (stage manager).
Performances run through November 6.
