The Denison theatre department will continue its 74th subscription series with Shakespeare'sHamletat 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday (Feb. 18-19) and Tuesday-Saturday (Feb. 22-26) in Burke Black Box Theatre (240 West Broadway.) Admission is $8 general admission, $5 for senior citizens, and $4 for non-Denison students. To reserve tickets call the box office at (740) 587-6527.

Hamlet, which was first performed by the Chamberlain's Men in 1600, is a compelling tragedy of the tormented young prince of Denmark. Confronted with evidence that his uncle murdered his father, Hamlet must find a means of reconciling his longing for oblivion with his duty as avenger.

"This script is so big and so well known, that one of my main goals, as odd as it sounds, is to tell the story with great clarity," says Assistant Professor Robert Gander, who is directing the Denison production. "I would also like to get people to see this classic of western literature through a contemporary filter. I'd like people to leave the theatre with new ideas about what the play means to us, here and now."

"This production is going to focus on issues of gender and empowerment," says Gander. "We are not changing a word of the text, but non-traditional casting will present audience members with questions. I think our production will work on two levels: one very traditional and the other slightly unconventional." Gander also sees the production as a fantastic learning experience for the students. "The opportunity to play these characters on a thrust stage space is rare."

"This production is refreshingly non-traditional in casting, costuming and setting," said theatre department secretary Marilyn Sundin. "Director Robert Gander has chosen to put a contemporary spin on the world's best-known play, creating an arresting and innovative production."

Associate Professor Cynthia Turnbull serves as costume designer, and Associate Professor Peter Pauzé is the scenic designer. Mary Sykes, a Vail Artist-in-Residence, is the lighting designer, while junior Brian Carsten serves as sound designer. Senior Elena Perantoni is stage manager.

Cast members include: seniors Alma Fellows (Little Valley, N.Y.), Maggie Glover (Allison Park, Pa.), Drew Lichtenberg (Pelham, Mass.), Megan Long (Chapmanville, W.Va.), David McDonald (Cincinnati), Cara Scarmack (Lancaster), and David Tyler (Chagrin Falls); juniors Danielle Lebens (Chesterfield, Mo.), Emily Meagher (Evansville, Ind.), Gregory Polsen (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.), Michael Sato (Carmel, Ind.), Margaret Skorburg (Dallas, Texas), and Tariq Vasudeva (New Delhi, India); sophomores Brittany Bradley (Edina, Minn.), Christopher Carr (Weymouth, Mass.), Jordan Fehr (University Heights), Timothy Henson (Yokosuka, Japan), Lindsey Johnston (Perrysburg), Jill Kirk (Gates Mills), Ryan Lucas (North Ridgeville), Sebastian Orr (Chardon), Gavin Roddy (Latrobe, Pa.), Christian Vernon (Matthews, N.C.), and Gretchen Vogt (Delaware); and first-year students Danya ElZein (Dayton), and Greta Kuhlman (Van Nuys, Calif.).

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- Theatre department production ofHamlet; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday (Feb. 18-19) and Tuesday-Saturday (Feb. 22-26) in Burke Black Box Theatre (240 West Broadway) General admission is $8, $5 for senior citizens, and $4 for students. Please call the box office at (740) 587-6527 to reserve tickets.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

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Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

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(740) 587-8575