Shakespeare & Company makes U.S. tour debut with "Hamlet" on Sept. 23

September 3, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – For more than three decades Shakespeare & Company has been a fixture in the culturally rich Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. While the company has toured regionally in New England, it will embark on its first national tour of the United States this year. The company makes its U.S. tour debut with “Hamlet” starting at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 23 at the Phillips Center.

The national tour is based on the company’s highly successful 2006-2007 season production. The production marked the first time real-life mother and son duo Tina Packer (as Gertrude) and Jason Asprey (as Hamlet) were on stage together. Both Ms. Packer and Mr. Asprey will reprise their roles for the tour, as will Ms. Packer’s husband, Dennis Krausnick (as Polonius). The production, which was directed by Eleanor Holdridge, also includes Johnny Lee Davenport (Ghost, Gravedigger, Player-King), Nigel Gore (Claudius), Jacob H Knoll (Guildenstern/Osric), Kevin O’Donnell (Laertes), Elizabeth Raetz (Ophelia), Alex Sovronsky (Rosencrantz) and Jake Waid (Horatio).

Set in 13th century Denmark, “Hamlet” follows the story of the young Prince of Denmark, who is racked with grief over the recent death of his father. Feeling betrayed by his mother, Queen Gertrude, who married Hamlet’s Uncle Claudius shortly after his father’s death, Hamlet is thrown into dual turmoil. Not only does the marriage prevent Hamlet from becoming king himself, it also thrusts his father’s brother into the role of surrogate father and king. Complicating familial relations even further, Hamlet’s father’s ghost makes an appearance to tell his son that he was murdered by Claudius, inciting his son to revenge his death and prove his uncle a killer. Feigning madness, Hamlet is determined to show Claudius’ guilt. When a troupe of actors arrives at the castle, Hamlet uses them to stage a reenactment of the murder for the entire court to witness.

The longest of Shakespeare’s plays, “Hamlet” was probably written sometime between 1599 and 1601.

Currently in its 31st season, Shakespeare & Company aspires to create a theater of unprecedented excellence rooted in the classical ideals of inquiry, balance and harmony; a company that performs as the Elizabethans did – in love with poetry, physical prowess and the mysteries of the universe. Shakespeare & Company’s educational programs inspire a new generation of students and scholars to discover the resonance of Shakespeare’s truths in the everyday world, demonstrating the influence that classical theater can have within a community.

Shakespeare & Company’s “Hamlet” is sponsored by the Dharma Endowment Foundation. Tickets are $20 to $35 and can be purchased by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS (2787), 800-905-ARTS (toll-free within Florida) or call Ticketmaster at 800-277-1700. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Phillips Center Box Office, the University Box Office at the Reitz Student Union, from any Ticketmaster outlet, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Cash, checks, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.