Review: WOMEN PLAYING HAMLET Now Showing at the Unicorn Theatre

The Unicorn Theatre production of Women Playing Hamlet currently runs on the Jerome Stage at the theater located at 3828 Main in Kansas City, Mo. William Missouri Downs wrote the New Play Network Rolling World Premiere directed by Producing Artistic Director Cynthia Levin. Women Playing Hamlet is the second Rolling World Premiere for Downs who has won numerous playwriting awards. In his day all Shakespeare's characters were played by men, in Downs play four women play 19 parts, including male characters.

Levin makes good use of the modest yet effective scenic design of Ian R. Crawford to bring Downs play to life. The humorous play utilizes William Shakespeare's verbal scene painting, in which the actors describe their locations and surroundings. The production is multimedia with the aid of photographs projected on the wall above the stage. The costume design of Georgianna Londre Buchanan aids the imagination on the intimate stage.

Katie Karel is superb in her role of Jessica, the actor who auditions for the role of Ophelia and is cast to play the lead of Hamlet. The comedy begins as Jessica attempts to interpret the role and why she was cast in the greatest role Shakespeare wrote. She delivers short monologues directed at the audience with enthusiasm and flare. Karel has appeared with the New Theatre, Starlight, and Musical Theater Heritage among others in Kansas City.

Cathy Barnett is magnificent as Gwen, Ghost, and the hands on Humanities Professor (hands on his female students that is). As the acting teacher, Jessica hires to help her with the role of Hamlet, Barnett is the perfect Diva, and it is either her way or not at all. Barnett recently appeared at the Unicorn in Hands on a Hardbody. She has appeared at the New Theatre, Starlight, and Musical Theater Heritage among others.

Tasked with more roles than any of the other actors Kathleen Warfel is brilliant as Lord Derby, Jessica's Mother, Dr. Feltenberg, Bartender, HSN Hostess, Gilda, and Gravedigger. She steps effortlessly from one role to another, one moment as the psychiatrist Dr. Feltenberg and the next as a gravedigger. She has appeared with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, New Theatre, and Kansas City Repertory Theatre among others in Kansas City.

Usually behind the scene at the Unicorn, slinging drinks or tickets, Meredith Wolfe delightfully steps onto the stage and into the roles of Betty, Father Jorgensen, Messenger, Emily Ostergaard, Barfly, HSN Model, and Rosy. She is most humorous in the character of Emily Ostergaard, Jessica's friend. Wolfe has appeared with The Coterie, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, and the Kansas City Fringe Festival.

Filled with laughs Women Playing Hamlet is one of the better productions that has appeared on the Jerome Stage. The Unicorn offers Pay What U Can for Tuesday and Wednesday performances and Monday March 16. There is no show on Tuesday March 17 due to St. Patrick's Day. Purchase tickets by calling the box office at 816-531-7529 extension 10 or online at the Unicorn Theatre website. Photo by Cynthia Levin courtesy of the Unicorn Theatre.

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