Alex Syiek (as Hamlet) and Kelly Smith (as Ophelia)
- What: Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
- Who: Baldwin Wallace University Department of Theatre & Dance
- When: April 18-21 and 25-28 at 7:30 p.m. and April 22 at 2 p.m.
- Where: John Patrick Theatre at the Kleist Center for Arts and Drama, 95 East Bagley Road, Berea, Ohio
- How: Tickets are free BW faculty, staff and students, $10 for the general public, and $5 for seniors & other students. Reserve tickets by calling 440-826-2240 or stop by the box office at The Kleist Center for Art & Drama.
- Box Office
BW's Imaginative Retelling of Hamlet
You're probably familiar with the tale. Prince Hamlet's father has died. His girlfriend is losing touch with reality. His mother married his uncle. Norway may or may not be invading the country. And there's a ghost. Shakespeare's tale is infinitely quotable, both heartbreaking and hilarious, and action-packed with sword-play and intrigue. Hamlet is classical theatre at its best.
"The play has endured and captivated audiences for centuries not only for its universal themes, but because it is incredible storytelling," says director Adam Heffernan. "It's part detective drama, part romance, part swashbuckling adventure, and part witty comedy. It's almost as if Shakespeare wrote a play of his greatest hits."
A series of free pre-show lectures by BW faculty and students will take place one hour before curtain throughout the run. The talks will last approximately 25 minutes. The schedule includes:
- English professor Dr. Susan Oldrieve (April 20)
- Philosophy professor Dr. Kelly Coble (April 21)
- Cast member Luke Brett, discussing Shakespeare’s clowns (April 22)
- Assistant director Nathaniel Stevens (April 26)
- History professor Dr. Connie Evans (April 27)
- Costume designer Susanne Miller (April 28)
Tickets are free for BW faculty, staff and students, $10 for the general public, and $5 for seniors and other students. Reserve tickets by calling 440-826-2240 or stop by the box office at The Kleist Center for Art & Drama.
Performing the title role is Alex Syiek, a junior Music Theatre major from Huntington Beach, California last seen steering the ship in Titanic the Musical last fall at BW. Playing his mother, Gertrude, is junior Theatre major Jillian Tighe, who was last seen as the title character in last year's North American premiere of Miss Elizabeth Bennet at BW. Junior Music Theatre major Nick Pankuch will portray King Claudius, and junior Theatre major Kelly Smith will play Ophelia.
Director Adam Heffernan, is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at BW. Last season he directed the North American premiere of AA Milne's Miss Elizabeth Bennet, an adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Other directing credits include Twelfth Night at Iowa State University, Fefu & her Friends at Drake University and The Real Thing at Highlands Playhouse.
Chair of The Department of Theatre and Dance and Professor Theatre, Jeff Herrmann will design lights. His scenic and lighting design credits include Rent, La Boheme, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and Titanic at Baldwin Wallace, Hair and Dreamgirls at Cain Park, and Bat Boy: The Musical and Cabaret for Great Lakes Theatre.
Costume Design is by Susanne Miller, a senior at BW who currently works in the costume shop as a stitcher and shop foreman. Set Design is by C.J. Fore, a senior theatre major. The Assistant Director is Nathaniel Stevens, a senior year theatre major at BW. Sound Design is by Nick Vogelpohl, a junior theatre major and business administration minor.
For more information visit www.bw.edu/academics/theatre or www.facebook.com/BWTheatre