Theater Review: 'Hamlet' with Shakespeare in the Litchfield Hills

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Naugatuck Patch neighbor Nancy Sasso Janis

Shakespeare in the Litchfield Hills returns this weekend only with an excellent Shakesperience Productions, Inc. rendering of ‘Hamlet.” This production marks the fifth time since 2019 that the company has offered a beloved Shakespeare production amidst the beautiful Litchfield Hills. Artistic Director Emily Mattina sets the action of Shakespeare’s tragedy “within the cinematic world of 1920s Old Hollywood Glamour,” putting the talented cast in what appears on the surface to be a black and white world.

Mattina, who was recently inducted into the Waterbury Arts Magnet School Hall of Fame, set out to shine a light on the architecture of the Royal Court. “Nestled within are our young people, at its heart’s core, bringing into focus something that has always been there beneath the text: every act of love, cruelty, forgiveness, smallness, and ambition is witnessed by those who will inherit the world we leave behind, illuminating the consequences of our choices, which rarely end with us.”

Curtis Dunn, who was born and raised in Thomaston, gives a memorable performance in the title role of the “plagued” Prince of Denmark. Mr. Dunn appeared in summer productions with Shakespearience throughout 2011-2013. Equity Member and Goshen resident Robert Edward Burns, affectionately known to some as “Mattatuck Bob,” takes on the role of the scheming Claudius, the newly crowned King of Denmark. Susan Merrill of Warren, CT plays Hamlet’s mother and Claudius’ new wife Gertrude. Ms. Merrill played the role of Lady Capulet in the Shakesperience of “Romeo & Juliet.”

Michael R. Briney is the handsome ghost of the Old King, as well as the Gravedigger and Court 1. Mr. Briney played Fred in Shakesperience’s “The Gift of Peace” and Gloucester in TheatreWorks’ “King Lear.”

Humphry Rolleston (Lord Capulet in 2024) returns to this stage to take on the role of Polonious, Claudius’ chief advisor and the father of Laertes and Ophelia. Rollenston is the voice of Barnaby Druthers with the Nutmeg Junction Community Radio series now heard in more than 25 states, Canada and New Zealand. Kathleen Green returns to this stage to play the role of the doomed Ophelia and gives a beautiful and often heartbreaking performance.

Winston Samuel plays the courtier Osric, the voice of Lucianus and Court 5 in his second season with Shakespearience. Laertes, who returns to Elsinor from Paris, is brought to life by Cáleb Koval, a NYC-based boricua actor, musician and writer. Wayne Hu, an Equity member, plays Horatio, Hamlet’s loyal friend.

Peter Mirren, a young actor, plays Rosencrantz and others. Mr. Mirren is a rising seventh grade student appearing in a Shakesperience production for the first time. Callan Scott plays Guildenstern and others. Viola Lapham, who had grown up on Shakesperience stages, plays three roles. Ms. Lapham is now a rising senior at The Taft School. Annie Edgerton is the understudy for Gertrude.

Jeffrey Lapham designed the scenery and worked as the technical director. White fences flank a green and white tent in the style of the Litchfield Hills logo. Chairs used by the actors are painted black and white, at times turned sideways when the actor is not actually in the scene. The always-challenging lighting and audio is well done by Advanced Lighting and Sound Solutions.

Dunn served as the fight choreographer for the sword fighting and Caleb Koval was the dance choreographer. Music designer Alexandra Juckno provided some background music and presumably worked with the actors, most notably Ms. Green, on their a cappella singing.

Kudos to Costume Designer Julie Leavitt on the striking black and white outfits for the royals, the duller colors for the commoners and the colorful costumes for the performers of the play within the play, which is creatively staged.

For me, “Hamlet” is a work of Shakespeare that is bursting with familiar quotations that punctuate the action, and I always appreciate a chance to enjoy Shakespeare outdoors. The performance under the stars is presented with one intermission and still runs less than two hours. As for any outdoor performance, bring a chair or blanket, put a jacket or blanket in the car for after the sun sets and slather on the insect repellent.

Shakespeare in the Litchfield Hills is presented by The Friends of Shakespeare in the Litchfield Hills, who fundraise and even host the actors in their homes.

Come see "Hamlet" Aug 6-9 in Washington, CT

Picnicking: 7:00 pm

Performance: 7:30 pm

River Walk Pavilion, 11 School Street, Washington Depot, CT