Nine Theatricals & Engine Productions to Stage HAMLET, 7/13-24
By: Tyler Peterson Jun. 06, 2016
HAMLET is possibly Shakespeare's most widely-known play with more revivals, films, adaptations, versions, and references, than any other. But did you know Shakespeare's play itself was a version of an older story? Nine Theatricals' production features excerpts from numerous older texts said to be what the author used as inspiration. Works that served as fodder for HAMLET date as far back as the Romans and the Vikings and as near as one of Shakespeare's own competitors.
MATT DE ROGATIS (who plays the title character) and JAY MICHAELS, the production's director, have compiled elements of these other versions - including the Scandinavian concept of a narrator - or story-teller - sharing details as if the tale was far too old to be truly depicted without one - into a version of Hamlet but also the story of Hroðulf from the late 5th century and the 6th century; Amlóði from the 12th century; Ur-Hamlet and Heronimo from the early renaissance.
When the smoke clears, this is a HAMLET not yet done:
· JAY MICHAELS, a professor of speech communications and the performing arts worked closely with de Rogatis to create a cacophony of theories and subplots enacted within the production - from the much discussed incest to addiction and self-abuse; love, lust, bisexuality, and BDSM; current social mores vs. religious beliefs. Professor Michaels several stage productions of Hamlet (one featuring David Canary as Claudius) and one film version, as well as innovative productions of Macbeth, Richard III, Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, A Yorkshire Tragedy (attributed to Shakespeare) at LaMama; and producing Julius Caesar and Othello.
· Incorporating all these themes and time periods, the production sports a "Steam Punk" look. MAYA LUZ, a designer for CALVIN KLEIN - and former PROJECT RUNWAY contestant - has joined the team to create this look. She will personally design and execute Hamlet's costuming.
· The King's Crown - an original piece of art valued at more than $10,000 - has been donated by an anonymous artist whose work currently is on display at the MUSEUM OF MODERN ART AND THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
· CELEBRATED PAINTER EILEEN KENNEDY will provide original paintings of Hamlet's "Dumb Show" as part of the set.
· SFX ARTIST SHANE VANNEST has created a custom made "Yorick" skull.
· Underneath all of this will be original underscoring by REV. MARY E. MICARI, A PROFESSIONAL SOUND & MUSIC HEALER who will use her techniques to literally orchestrate the emotion of the production. Her orchestrations will include rare and ancient instruments like the lyre, monochord, and African and Indian drums to be played herself and musician ADAM WEINGARTEN (currently at Symphony Space).
MATT DE ROGATIS was seen in New York as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire; Tom Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie; Ken in Red and the role of The Elephant Man in The Exhibition, just to name a few. He is scheduled to play Frederick Clegg in the New York stage premiere of English author John Fowles' dark play, The Collector, to be directed by Mr. Michaels, at 59e59Theatres this fall.
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