BWW Reviews: WITTENBERG from Seattle Shakespeare Company

Seattle Shakespeare Company is currently coupling their powerhouse production of "Hamlet" with an amusing look into Hamlet's college days with "Wittenberg" by David Davalos.  And while it may not pack the punch of the main event it is a smart and funny view into the formation of the attitudes of the young prince.

Many plays have tried to take a look at the events surrounding Shakespeare's heavy hitters.  Lee Blessing's "Fortinbras" which looks at what may have happened immediately following the story of "Hamlet" or Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" which looks at two minor characters of the play as they discuss the events within "Hamlet" as they wait in the wings are just two that pop into mind.  There are even dissections of Shakespeare's process of creating his plays as in the brilliant "Equivocation" from Bill Cain.  But in "Wittenberg" we don't look after the fact of "Hamlet" or even during but prior to the events investigating the moments that formed the man right before he is called back to Elsinore due to the death of his Father, the King.  We meet Prince Hamlet (played by Connor Toms) in his Collegiate days at Wittenberg University and the two big influences from those days, his professors Dr. Faustus (Chad Kelderman) and the Rev. Martin Luther (Michael Patten) as they vie for superiority over the heart and head of the Dane attempting to lead him down the path of Philosophy and Theology.  And while they are trying to sway the Prince, these two learned men attempt to one up and sway the beliefs each other holds so dearly. 

But beyond the association with the infamous story, the show delves into the examination of reason versus faith.  The two men enter into a battle of wits as Faustus tries to extol the virtues of philosophy while Martin Luther puts forth that theology is the way to go.  Who will win out in the end, for that you have to see the show.  But while the show is an intriguing look at this centuries old dichotomy, the play itself tends to fall back on the habit of throwing references and lines from its source play for comic effect, sometimes too often (I think I counted at least four references to "To be or not to be").  Like I said, it's a smart play; I just wish it were cleverer.

However the cast is quite adept in making up for whatever the play lacks.  Toms is adorable as the collegiate prince infusing this iconic character with a delightful beer chugging frat boy mentality.  The subtle snickers and glances showed off Toms' wonderful comic timing.  Michelle Chiachiere who is referred to in the program as the "Eternal Feminine" is lovely in multiple roles as she embodies every possible type of woman in this world.  And the feuding scholars Kelderman and Patten kept the action and patter at a lightening pace.  Patten's ever questioning man of God is hilarious and delectable and Kelderman had me entranced with the bearing and presence of his overly confident philosopher. 

All in all a fun accompaniment to Seattle Shakes astonishing "Hamlet".  And since they have the two playing in Rep with each other then you could conceivably start off with the appetizer of "Wittenberg" before moving onto the feast that is "Hamlet".

"Wittenberg" from the Seattle Shakespeare Company plays at the Center House Theatre in the Seattle Center through December 5^th.  For tickets or information contact the Seattle Shakespeare Company box office at 206-733-8222 or visit them online at www.seattleshakespeare.org.

Photo Credit: John Ulman

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