By Marilyn Jozwik
What better way to enjoy Shakespeare’s masterpiece “Hamlet” than on a summer night in the park? And what better troupe to bring you this show with creativity, energy and passion than the Summit Players?
As one audience member noted during the talk back at Catalano Square Park in the Third Ward, “This was the best rendition of ‘Hamlet’ I’ve ever seen.”
Another attendee, who had seen the show at Havenwoods State Park, noted, “The Summit ‘Hamlet’ was awesome. We’re seeing it again in July.”
Summit Players are putting on the free shows in parks around the state throughout the summer. See the list of locations and times at www.summitplayers.com.
On this warm night – humid, mid 80s – costumes were modified to account for the heat. All performers, except Sarah Zapiain as Hamlet, play multiple roles so costumes are mostly simple for quick changes. Production manager Hugo Dums provides sound effects like rain and thunder, while the audience is cued with large cards and add the sounds of wind, cheers and applause and even provide The Wave through the audience at one point
Matthew Torkilsen and Sarah B.E. in a scene from Summit Players “Hamlet.” Photos by Paul Ruffolo
Summit’s version of Shakespeare’s classic is accessible with modern touches like high-fives and even bowling with a skull. Performers know how to project without amplification and their spot-on diction cuts through the heavy air, making sure you don’t miss any of “Hamlet’s” well known lines.
As Polonius (Matthew Torkilsen) advises his son Laertes (Caleb Lawrence), who is going off to school in Paris: “Neither a borrower, nor a lender be” and “To thine own self be true.” None of the irony is lost as Polonius himself is unscrupulous.
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,” is spoken by Marcellus (Sarah B.E.) regarding the corruption of King Claudius. Polonius says “brevity is the soul of wit.” And, of course, you’ll hear the oft-used “To be or not to be” as Hamlet reflects on his life. “Hamlet” is the most quoted of Shakespeare’s plays and, thanks to this superb cast, you miss little of it.
Under the direction of Caroline Norton, this is a well-oiled machine led by Zapiain’s Hamlet, who embodies the prince out to avenge the death of his father, the King of Denmark, at the hands of his uncle King Claudius (Jake Badovski), who then marries Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude (Sarah B.E.). If that isn’t enough to handle, Hamlet must deal with the ghost of his dead father (Lawrence) and a love interest, Ophelia (Naomi Kriege).
Of course, it all doesn’t end well, but no spoiler alert here.
Zapiain as Hamlet showed no effects of the heat giving, an intense and passionate performance filled with physicality, humor and broad, effective gestures. Hamlet’s departures into feigned madness are hilariously rendered by Zapiain.
Jake Badovski as King Claudius in a scene from Summit Players “Hamlet.” Photos by Paul Ruffolo
Zapiain is surrounded by equally skillful playmates, whose energy never fades. There are always bits of comedy – Hamlet crab-walking or the gravediggers (Sarah B.E. and Kriege) making sport of their duties – to offset the tragedies.
Even with the distractions of an outdoor city venue, including cawing seagulls, revving car engines and somebody with a blaring sound system driving by during Ophelia’s soliloquey, the players didn’t miss a beat.
The troupe’s understanding of the language, the drama and the comedy produces this masterful and entertaining rendition of “Hamlet” that even lukewarm Shakespeare fans will appreciate.