by Lee Blessing
directed by Justin Fletcher
at The Viaduct
September 14 – October 20, 2001
Joseph Jefferson Citation
Actor in a Supporting Role – Jim Slonina
“Defiant’s well-crafted production is exceptionally well-acted.”
Chicago Tribune
Hamlet had barely shuffled off this mortal coil when things took another ghastly turn at the castle of Elsinore.
The court welcomes Fortinbras as a conquering king, though he thought he was just stopping in to be polite. As the new ruler, he needs to find a suitable public relations slant to explain the recent deaths of the entire royal family. Horatio won’t let go of the truth. Osric turns out to be the ultimate ass kisser. And the ranks of the (returning) dead aren’t much help. Philosopher Polonius won’t speak at all. Queen Gertrude and King Claudius beg to be dug up. And the previously proper Ophelia unleashes her pent-up bad attitude.
Fortinbras was a comedy for those who can finally admit that the original Hamlet was a little too, too much to be believed.
Place
The Castle at Elsinore, Denmark
Time
Immediately following the events of Hamlet
Cast
Living
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark … John Sanders
Osric, member of the Danish court … Jim Slonina
Horatio, friend of Hamlet … John Harrell
English Ambassador … Kevin James Murphy
Fortinbras, Prince of Norway … Jason Kae
Captain of the Norwegian Army … Aaron Boucher
Marcellus, a sentinel … Aaron Boucher
Barnardo, a sentinel … Kevin James Murphy
First Maiden … Lisa Rothschiller
Second Maiden … Lara Jo Hightower
Other
Polonius, the Court Councillor … Richard Ragsdale
Ophelia, his daughter … Katherine Ripley
Claudius, King of Denmark … Jethro Nolen
Gertrude, Queen of Denmark … Meredith Siemsen
Laertes, Polonius’s son … Geoff Coates
Production Team
Stage Manager … Katrina Bergstrom
Set Designer … Simon Lashford
Lighting Designer … Troy Fujimura
Costume Designer … Christine E. Pascual
Sound Design/Composition … Matthew Callahan
Video/SFX/Technical Director … Richy Norwood
Fight Choreographer … Geoff Coates
Wig Designer … Pam DeLucia
Makeup Designers … Richard Ragsdale
… Sabrina Kramnich
Illuminated Manuscript Designer … Andrew Leman
Poster Designer … B. Emil Boulos
Press Photography … Arlo Bryan Guthrie
Assistant Stage Manager … Lisa Westfall
Sound Board Operator … Colette McHugh