The Clackamas print., November 19, 2008, Page 5, Image 5

ulture
Clackamas Print 5
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008
|he tragedy of ‘Hamlet’ returns
|ydia Emily Bashaw
lifer in Chief
■re never should have been a sequel
toilet.
FBlinbras,” a comedy being performed
pjckanias Theatre Arts Department, is
[stoi that occurs after the death of
■peare’s Hamlet. The play, by Lee
Big. picks up with the arrival of the
ce of Norway, Fortinbras, who inherits
Iro
of Denmark through a quick
es of comical occurrences. This new
g is forced to pick up a kingdom on the
ik of chaos with the ghosts of the past
■jug to “teach” him.
The play incorporates all those who
Bng the tragedy of Hamlet, includ-
let himself, played by first timer
leb rdmanczyk. He first appears as
Jision on a TV screen that seemed to
Ba coy, decisive and self-centered
B of the original Shakespearean
■etc
■ a quieter and wiser Polonius, a
ful Claudius, a sexually repressed
rude ind a slutty, forceful Ophelia, the
w sets itself up to be playful soap opera,
irever, most audiences with knowledge
Shakespeare will find it to be a bit
ssy and disappointing.
IWith a cast full of newcomers and vet-.
e play falls short of expectations,
s seemed to be read, not played
ped, and no connection is made
most of the characters,
character Fortinbras, played by
Residence James Sharinghousen,
a perfect fit for the part. While
acter was intended to be comi-
fused and reluctant to change,
ousen was overbearing and
cted to not just his cast but the
overall context of the play.
At the beginning, the audience was
pulled in by the character of Fortinbras but
funny political satire, it became grating.
In serious moments where Fortinbras
was intended to be humble and introspec-
B
V«
BB H j
. 2 b
The ghosts of Hamlet, right, and Ophelia, left, share a tender moment of
reconciliation on the battlements of Elsinore,
as time progressed and the character sup­
posedly developed, Sharinghousen grew
more detached and redundant. His acting
became irritating and cocky, especially
when he tried to sound more and more
like President George W. Bush. Instead of
tive, Sharinghousen portrayed him as arro­
gant and overly humorous. The lack of a
good, solid Fortinbras led the rest of the
cast to a duel of who was in the spotlight
and the play never recovergd from the
characters trying to upstage each other.
The rest of the cast was hit and miss.
Dominant character Ophelia, played by
newcomer Annie Scharich, was well cast-
ed and did well depicting the lustful and
manipulative character. Yet onstage inex­
perience and lack of decent cast mates
made the character one-dimensional and
impassionate. ,
There was a breath of fresh air when
Tony Baer, who played Osric, took the
stage. His acting was simple, humble and
connected. The part fit Baer, who was easi­
ly the best actor in the play. His jokes came
off with ease and the character seemed to
naturally fit. His rapport with other cast
members was much more obvious and he
immersed the audience in the emotions of
the play. Baer’s natural charm and good
looks helped him pave the way for Osric’s
character development. He was certainly
thé highlight of the play.
Another successful thespian was
Polonius, played by Derek Sweet. His
subdued, subtle acting style really gave
refinement to the new character. At the
beginning of Act II, Sweet’s soliloquy was
pivotal and deep. It defined the relation­
ship between Fortinbras and the ghosts
that haunted him.
Overall the show was a disappointment
for those hoping for a well rounded and
well performed comedy. The high school
lunch room humor that relied on sex to
get the audience smiling, became irksome,
leaving only the immature and uncomfort­
able laughing. The cast seemed to have
trouble making the play flow and it hurt
the storyline.
For those looking for a cheap seat and
a lighthearted, comedic follow-up to a
classic tragedy, then “Fortinbras” is a go.
However, those with higher expectations
and more mature humor may just be let
down.
^B^e smug specters of Claudius and Gertrude, portrayed by veter-
Jake Whitten and Kelly Miller, gloat in triumph over Fortinbras’
^Mortinbras takes a stand against the imagined threat of Hamlet,
■ )i lut his ghostly adversary and daring him to laugh at his mistakes,
■
fanBii ile, his ladies-in-waiting watch intently.
k
^Bfter a rushed and impromptu wedding, Fortinbras, left center,
^B keep his new Polish bride, far left, played by Liz Johnson, and
Bw maiden, far right, portrayed by Hannah Munsey, from falling
^Blet’s ghost, right center.
_