Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead
by Tom Stoppard
March 31st - April 23rd
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm & Sundays at 5pm
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead presents Shakespeare's tragedy of Hamlet through the eyes and experiences of two minor characters from Shakespeare's masterpiece. Caught in a world beyond their understanding and unsure of their purpose, they do the best they can with the small tidbits of information they are given, ultimately leading to their demise. A messenger has come to Rosencrantz & Guildenstern with a request from the king of Denmark to visit their longtime school chum Hamlet. Or did he? There is a distant memory of words spoken. Is this fate? Chance? A lucky break? "We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered." speaks Guildenstern in an attempt to make sense of his existence and range of experience.
Based on the theme that every exit is an entrance to somewhere else (and vice versa) this brilliant work is filled with comic flair and poignant moments of reflection on human existence. Written and produced in 1967,Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead continues to intrigue and entertain. Like many of Shakespeare's works: the themes are universal and the circumstances all too familiar. We still play games to pass the time. We still act on tidbits of information. "Words, words, they're all we have to go on". "Truth is only that which is taken to be true". These and many more wise saws and instances combined with comic frivolity are what make this genius piece thrilling for contemporary audiences.
directed by: James Kinstle
lighting design by: Michael Klima
costume design by: Sara Jane Gerrish
properties design by: Liza Davies
dramaturg: Laura Hackman
sound design by: Todd Mion
choreography by: Lisa Mion
production stage manager: Stacey Shade
fight director: Lewis Shaw
Featuring:
Joe Brady* as Guildenstern
Frank Britton as a player
Kateri Chambers as Ophelia/Musician
Ben Gansky as a player/musician
Mustafa Harris as a Alfred and Horatio
Bruce R. Nelson* as Claudius
Jen Plants* as Gertrude
B. Thomas Rinaldi as Polonius
Anthony Scimonelli as a player/musician
Gregory Stuart as a musician
Josh Thelin * as Hamlet
Tony Tsendeas* as Player King
Dana Whipkey* as Rosencrantz
*member Actor's Equity Association