The 2005 summer season began what was the fullest, diverse and most ambitious outdoor touring season that the company has ever undertaken. Shakespeare staple shows were placed along side new Shakespeare like adaptations, set in a myraid of periods and totaled 6 productions in all. To start this huge season off with a bang we brought out the big guy himself, Hamlet. The most quoted, parodied, longerst and most famous play Shakespeare ever wrote, some 4000 lines. Even abridged our running time was around 2:15 to get everything in. Our take with this production was Complexity. Many characters along with Hamlet himself wear different faces and defy easy definition. Characters strattle and blend from good to evil and back. As a result the production was set in a combined time period of Rensaissance looking styles, medieval styles and with touches of modern clothing. Polonius bombasitc in some settings but shrewd and a thoughtful father in others. Ophelia, appears as a damaged wall flower in some circles and a fully sexual and subtle woman in others. Hamlet, an agent of revenge, a jerk, and a pondering philosopher. Shades of grey presented in a colorful tapestry.
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The ghost of the dead king Hamlet (Patrick Egan) appears on in solemn but warlike stance on nightly on the battlements of Elisonor castle. Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ
The scholarly and level headed Horatio (Orville Matherson, left), having been urged by the attending guards Bernardo (Laurie Jeffers, center) and Marcellus (Jillyn Mckittrick) to watch on the battlements with them, stares in disbelief at the sight of the dead king. Staib Park, Hackensack, NJ
Hamlet (Rich Warren, center) sits brooding over the recent marriage of his mother Gertrude (Jessica Day) to his uncle Caludius (Matt Olsem) Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ
Laertes (Tony King), attempts to impart some dating advice to his sister Ophelia (Mary Jo Verruto) to leave Hamlet alone however, she playfully turns the advice back on him to not advise her in one and act in another. Staib Park, Hackensack, NJ
Swear upon his sword! Hamlet, having been informed by his friend Horatio of the sight of his father's ghost stands watch. The apparition imparts to Hamlet that he was killed by his brother who now is married to his widow. Above, a serene Hamlet (Rich Warren) swears revenge over his father's wailing voice as the trembling Horatio (Orville Matherson), Marcellus (Jillyn McKittrick) and Bernardo (Laurie Jeffers) react in fear. From this point forward Hamlet vows to put an "antic disposition" to appear insane for the court. Hamilton Park, Jersey City , NJ
Polonius (Charles J. Roby, right) long windedly tells Gertrude (Jessica Day) and Claudius (Matt Olsem) that he has determined why Hamlet has lost his mind, a "unrequited love" for his daughter Ophelia. Claudius and Polonius determine to test their hypothesis hy having Ophelia spurn Hamlet. Staib Park, Hackensack, NJ
Two fawing old school friends Guildenstern (Shashanah Newman) and Rosencrantz (Melissa McCulloch) arrive at the behest of the king and queen to try to cheer Hamlet and determine why he has recently turned mad and distracted. Above, a suspicious Hamlet entertains their convenient arrival. Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ
"To or not to be" Hamlet (rich Warren) broods on his revenge, but thinks beyond the black and white of his situation to wonder what this life and the next mean. Intruding on his thoughts is long love Ophelia (Mary Jo Verruto) who has arrived to return love letters to him and spurn with her father and the king hiding to hear their conversations. Shipyard Park, Hoboken, NJ
Hamlet realizing that his former lover has betrayed him by having her father spy on him physically and emotionally abuses her. Above, a destroyed Ophelia (Mary Jo Verruto) painfully reminisces on the man he used to be and how she was taken in by him. Shipyard Park, Hoboken, NJ
Favorite players of Hamlet arrive as means to cheer the melancholy prince. He instead acts them to perform a short play that mimicks the assassination of his father. Above, the player Queen (Laurie Jeffers) confesses a false love to her lord, the Player King (Patrick Egan). Van Vorst Park, Jersey City, NJ
As Claudius' (Matt Olsem) crime is revealed, his calm and diplomatic side disappears and he violently strikes out an impertient Hamlet. Hamlet having mistakenly killed Polonius and threatened Gertrude, is taken in exile to England. Sinatra Park, Hoboken, NJ
Having escaped his captors, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, by having them killed, Hamlet (Rich Warren), enlists the help of his friend Horatio (Orville Matherson) to sneak back to the palace. Above, Hamlet comes across the skull of long dead friend, Yorick the court jester. He tells Horatio of the wonderful times that they had and how they are now all gone. Stratford City Hall, Stratford, CT.
Ophelia, tragically goes mad after the death of her father. Above, she is mourned by brother Laertes (Tony King), Osric (Jillyn McKittrick) and Gertrude (Jessica Day). Staib Park, Hackensack, NJ
Hamlet (Rich Warren) is challenged to a bout with foils by Laertes (Tony King) for the honor of his father and sister. Unbenownst to Hamlet, Laertes and the king have poisoned a cup and tip of his sword to kill him. What eventually follows is the death of the entire royal family. Stratford City Hall, Stratford, CT.
