'Shakespeare in the Cemetery' Opens June 22 in Hollywood

Hollywood Forever Cemetery and Tall Blonde Productions will put a macabre spin on "Shakespeare in the Park" by presenting the first annual "Shakespeare in the Cemetery" beginning June 22 with Hamlet, directed by Brianna Le Johnson.

"Hamlet, by William Shakespeare was first published in 1603, is considered his greatest play and is one of the most-quoted texts in the English language," state press notes.  "It is the story about a young man on a quest for truth, love, vengeance, justice, and has stood the test of time by being one of the most compelling insights into the human condition. It touches on the universal themes of family, friendship, sex, community, country and above all, mortality.  This theme becomes especially vibrant in our production as it is being performed in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.  Not only does the atmosphere create a more palpable experience for an audience as they ponder their own mortality, but the unconventional location provides the opportunity for them to become enveloped by the action itself."

The cast of Hamlet will feature Dean Chekvala as Hamlet, York Griffith as Claudius, Katharine Brandt as Gertrude, Sarah Utterback as Ophelia, Jonathan Runyon as Horatio, Sean Sellars as Polonius, Zach Alden as Laertes, Derek Long as the Ghost, Ryan Pfeiffer as Rosencrantz, Eric Hunicutt as Guildenstern, Clarke Harding as the Gravedigger, Michael Osborne as the Player King, Ivana Shein as the Player Queen, Katharine Everett as the Player Lucianus, John Pick at Marecellus/Fortinbras, James G. Freeman as Osric/Francisco and Stephen Steelman as Bernardo/Gravedigger 2.

Hamlet and "Shakespeare in the Cemetery" will open on June 22 and will continue for six weeks through July 29 at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood.  Performances will take place Friday and Sunday evenings at 8:30 p.m., with gates opening at 7:00 p.m. for picnic dinners.  Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.shakespeareinthecemetery.com or by calling 800-595-4849.

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