8
BEHIND THE SCENES
APRIL 20�27, 2022
FROM THE
COVER
A different take on Shakespeare
‘Women Playing
Hamlet’ opens April
29 in Baker City
By Lisa Britton
Go! Magazine
B
AKER CITY — Although
William Shakespeare’s plays
featured female characters, the
roles were played by men be-
cause women were not allowed
on stage.
That’s not the case today.
And “Women Playing Hamlet”
turns the tide even more, by cast-
ing a woman in the role of Hamlet.
This comedy opens Fri-
day, April 29, in Baker City. It is
presented by Eastern Oregon
Regional Theatre, 2101 Main St.
Shows are set for 7 p.m. April 29
and April 30, then 3 p.m. May 1.
The next week, shows will be
at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 7, and
3 p.m. May 8.
Opening night off ers dis-
counted $12 tickets for adults.
All other shows are priced at
$15 adults, $12 EORT members,
Lisa Britton/Go! Magazine
Christy Johnson, left, rehearses “Women Playing Hamlet” with Anna Brocato,
seated, and Paige Wolfe. The comedy opens Friday, April 29, in Baker City.
and $8 students. Tickets are
available online at www.eastern-
oregonregionaltheatre.com, by
calling 541-523-9652 or may be
purchased at the door.
Cast members for “Women
Playing Hamlet” are Lesley
Gaunt, Christy Johnson, Alyson
Spiering, Channin Becker, Paige
Wolfe, Anna Brocato, Kate Loen-
nig and Helen Loennig. Olivia
Eide is the stage manager.
Director Jamie Adams said
audiences should expect a dif-
ferent type of set.
“It doesn’t have your typical
set,” she said. “It’s diff erent and
a little bit wacky — the audi-
ence is required to have some
imagination.”
The plot follows the charac-
ter of Jessica, who is debating
whether or not to take the role
of Hamlet.
Lisa Britton/Go! Magazine
Kate Loennig, standing, and Paige Wolfe pretend to sell purses for a
commercial during a scene of “Women Playing Hamlet.”
“Women Playing Hamlet”
is a comedy, although Ad-
ams said it does have “some
adult themes.”
There are two main charac-
ters, Adams said.
“All the other actresses play
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multiple characters, men and
women of all ages,” she said.
Also, the actors are the stage
crew responsible for rearranging
the set.
“It’ll be a diff erent type of
show,” Adams said.