Witty Stoppard Play Opens Nov 21 at El Cerrito HS

This month the El Cerrito High School theater department presents Tom Stoppard’s “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead”! This show is a retelling of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy Hamlet, from the perspective of Hamlet’s childhood friends. Throughout the show, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are trying to figure out where they are, and what actions led them there. Their discussions run in circles while the director of a passing theatre troupe, the King and Queen of Elsinore and even Hamlet himself “come pouring in from every side, shouting obscure instructions, messing about from here to breakfast.” Mayhem ensues

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Putting on the play has been quite a journey. “This play has come together beautifully. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is a fantastic script, volleying between intense scenes from the original Shakespeare and Stoppard’s modern sharp wit. The crew has built a crazy, awesome set with different levels to the stage, including a ten-foot tower, and the cast has worked really hard to make this a memorable performance” says Julia Shebek (Hamlet).

Senior Lavonia Bobo (Guildenstern) comments “This play is epically funny; you will enjoy yourself. From the costumes, to actors, sound effects, and set- it is constant entertainment. If you don’t see this play, you will certainly miss out on a good laugh.” In the words of George Elsbury, (Rosencranz), the show “features a ton of sharp, witty humor and wordplay. Learning the lines is hard, but it feels so good to stand up on the stage and share the humor with the audience.”

Directed by ECHS Theater Director Carmen Bush, “Rosencranz and Guildenstern Are Dead” will be performed Friday November 21, at 7:30 pm, Saturday November 22, at 7:30 pm and a Sunday matinee on the 23rd at 2:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door starting one hour before showtimes, $10 adults, $5 students/senior citizen at El Cerrito High School Performing Arts Theater, 540 Ashbury Avenue, El Cerrito.