Hamlet: An Exploration Set to Begin Performances at 13th Street Repertory

Nine Theatricals production of brand-new interpretation of William Shakespeare's Hamlet begins performances tonight. The production will run at 13th Street Repertory from July 13-24. Jay Michaels directs.

The innovative adaptation of the Hamlet story features excerpts from numerous older texts that Shakespeare may have used as inspiration for his own work. Michaels and Matt de Rogatis, who stars in the title role, have incorporated elements of these other versions into Shakespeare's text, including the story of Hrodulf from the late fifth and sixth centuries, Amlódi from the 12th century, and the Ur-Hamlet and Hieronimo from the early Renaissance – as well as the Scandinavian concept of a narrator. The production will make use of unconventional design elements, including costumes influenced by a "steampunk" aesthetic.

In addition to de Rogatis, the cast features David Arthur Bachrach as Claudius, Linda S. Nelson as Gertrude, Lorraine Mattox as Ophelia, Jim Kempner as Polonius, Brian Patrick Murphy as Laertes, Greg Pragel as Horatio, Milton Elliott as the Ghost, Ali Stover as Rosencrantz, Vanessa Altshuler as Guildenstern, and R.J. Lamb as the Storyteller.

The creative team includes Maryam Penelope Sweirki, Michael Loupos, Chris Loupos, Shane Vannest, Mario Claudio, and Maya Luz.

De Rogatis was most recently seen at the Bridge Theater as John Merrick in The Elephant Man and as Charlie Gordon in a double bill titled An Evening of One Acts, which included the plays The Exhibition and Flowers for Algernon.

For tickets to Hamlet: An Exploration, click here.