Archana Asthana
Produced by SPARC Theater (Shakespeare and Performing Arts Regional Company) in its 20th year, under the July summer skies in the verdant Darcie Kent Vineyards in Livermore, the greatest of all Shakespearean tragedies, the story of the Prince of Denmark, Hamlet comes to life. Brimming with intense emotions of love, sorrow, betrayal and revenge, this immortal tale still attracts attentive and appreciative audience in every seat as they recognize the frailties of human relationships.
Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the Company, Lisa Tromovitch, also the director of this play, has adapted this timeless tragedy in 1990 for more dramatic precision for the play to evolve, and she used just eight actors playing multiple roles to economize on production costs.
Casting of all players was apt as they switched between characters. The ghostly specter of Hamlet’s father, a significant, towering presence who drives the plot forward is supported by several cast members: Anjoli Aguilar also plays the enchanting Ophelia, Hamlet’s love interest and the all important military leader Fortinbras of Norway; Lauren Dunagan who is also cast as the unenviable Queen Gertrude; Sarah Dunnavant who excels as Horatia, Hamlet’s childhood friend; Rob Setelman who commands the stage also as King Claudius with his stately demeanor and Nic Moore, brilliant as the hapless, naïve Laertes (Ophelia’s brother) and other supporting characters. Andre Amarotico returns to this role a decade apart and credits his nuanced, emotional performance to lived experiences of love and loss. His sensitive approach to playing this character is based on diving deeper to peel away layers that make Hamlet human, and can stir both heartbreak and affirmations at the same time, as he emotes love, soroow, betrayal and vengeance.
In this well directed, well acted play, there were no dull moments which dragged. It remained wholly engaging and emotionally gripping at all times, pulling the audience along in the story as they laughed, mourned and gasped at the events unfolding on stage. The narrative steeped in tragedy, manages to bring playfulness and humor at unexpected turns. Some might see the family tragedy in this play, and others might find the politics intriguing. Tromovitch explained that she wanted the audience to connect to both, as the play exploits the mindset of both the common people who lack thoughtful deliberation or diplomacy; and the nobility that tends to rule autocratically.
Shakespeare in the aftermath of losing his son, Hamnet, and grappling with the meaning of life and its value wrote this work in 1599. Four centuries later, the work remains relevant as it explores universal bonds of loyalty and brotherhood that unite and divide families at the same time, as they experience grief, loss, love and backstabbing. In balancing the familial and political aspects within this production, Tromovich convinces us that the greatness of the play lies in the deep understanding of human nature and critical evaluation of political forces that shape society, prompting us to reflect on us as individuals, and as a nation.
Photo by Cumulus Light Photography by Gregg Le Blanc.
