Tragedy Tomorrow...AND...Tonight! Hamlet on Staten Island

SI Shakespearean Theatre Company presents Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

Set in “Denmark, mid 1990s,” this gender bending production is slightly anachronistic with the use of they, them, their pronouns for a Hamlet played valiantly as a young nonbinary individual by the capable Anna Glenn Sparks. At one point when Polonius (Frank Duffy) counsels Claudius the King (Jack Dabdoub) he deftly makes use of all three pronouns in succession. The use of the pronouns may sometimes be confusing. In this case though, it was hilarious. Kudos to actors able to adjust archaic language of a venerated old text and adapt it to a modern ear. A fantastic Claudius, Horatio (Gary Bradley), Ophelia (Victoria Gullo), Gertrude (Brandon Thomas), and many parts played by the ensemble including the Grave Digger (Mitch Maglio) especially popped with both dramatic and comedic fireworks. Then there was the fantastic Laertes portrayed by Andre Sguerra. His long locks and Van Dyke style facial hair gave him the perfect look and bearing for the orphaned son and brother bereft of family by Hamlet’s hand.

It was as much fun to follow Hamlet’s tragic arc as it was to watch capable and fine renditions of Rosencrantz (Rina Sklar), Osric (Amanda Rose Benjamin), Guildenstern (Meredith Sladek) and Fortinbras (Courtney Emerson). The play with-in the play was a fantastic spectacle with costumes and histrionics to match. Player King Rit Mahoney and Queen Barbara Scalici were exceptional.

The vacant lot in a former wasteland along Front Street, which even the Navy could not permanently gentrify, was magically transformed with lights by Nick Diaz and sets by Keri Sheheen with Graphic design by Chris J. Sorrentino. 1990’s music is holding up well with sound by Ally Popick. The set was festooned with cartoon skulls and the artwork of so many creates a safe space where you should be comfortable in your seat since you bring it yourself.

Hamlet is a bear of a part for seasoned professionals. The young Sparks began appropriately sullen for a youth not at all thrilled with circumstances. With angst filled ease they deliver their first speech after a passionate embrace with the ebullient Ophelia which director Frank Williams uses to establish the love affair between the two. It was a great start. The Ghost scene was an innovative interplay of visual effects and the live action of Charles Sullivan vacillating between the two. Our beach chairs were low to the ground, so the stage vapor emitted from a smoke machine had an eerie effect as it enveloped us.

This Hamlet, like many, fully embodies the emotionally tortured prince with a witty, curious, and passionate (if confused) mind. With so many brilliant actors deserving of their moment in the spotlight, Director Williams understandably was hard pressed to cut the script into soul-of-wit brevity. That said, all the acting shines brightly into the night with Tom Shcherbenko as Voltimand, Alex Acerra as Bernardo and Vera Mahoney rounding out the ensemble.

Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre Company presented Hamlet, 9/17 - 9/18 and 9/24 - 9/25 at Maker Space which is adjacent to 450 Front Street in the Stapleton section of Staten Island. Contact: www.sishakespeare.org