Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 1, 1993 TAG: 9303010015
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS GLADDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
MMT'S `HAMLET' DIFFERENT, BUT EFFECTIVE
Mill Mountain Theatre in recent years has set itself a mandate worthy of much applause. It is committed not only to bringing commercial, mass-appeal entertainment to its stages, but challenging new works and cornerstones of classical theater as well.Thus we have the current praiseworthy production of "Hamlet," which opened Friday night.
Under the direction of Jere Lee Hodgin, this "Hamlet" tinkers with the way Shakespeare's immortal tragedy is mounted. But it leaves the essence intact. The costumes, largely consisting of suits, no ties, for the men and long gowns for the women, look like they might have come out of the fashion-consciousnovels of Bret Easton Ellis. There is the addition of modern music, including - if I'm not mistaken - a few passages from Celtic new-wave artist Enya. And the sets consist of monolithic slabs that suggest rather than imitate the interiors of a medieval castle.
Shakespeare is so infrequently produced with period trappings in these parts that to do so seems unnecessary. But this is still a stately production that captures the bleak majesty of the drama.
Curt Hostetter, who has appeared at the New York Shakespeare Festival, plays Hamlet, which is the most coveted young-man role in theater. (The most coveted old-man role has got to be King Lear, again brought to you by Shakespeare).
Hostetter is a capable actor, but had a shaky start before picking up the rhythm of the performance in Friday night's opening. At first, he didn't seem to have a firm command of his lines, surprising considering the enormity of the role and his impressive credentials. But as the play progressed, so did the actor's confidence. Hostetter was at his best when the troubled Danish prince lets his soul-searching melancholy give way to playful mockery.
While Hamlet is at the center of this tale about a medieval dysfunctional family, there are significant roles aplenty, and they're well-handled without exception.
Craig Dudley gives a robust and riveting performance that exudes emotional spontaneity as Claudius, the uncle who kills the prince's father and marries his mother.
David Bridgewater, a plus more than once for Mill Mountain productions, is an earnest and engaging Laertes, Hamlet's one-time friend. Jack Beasley is likable as the well-meaning but meddlesome Polonious. Martha Perantoni is effective as Gertrude, the mother of Hamlet, who is at the center of his torment. Cassandra Johnson is a convincing and refreshingly restrained Ophelia, given the role's potential for actresses to go over the top. And Anthony Lawton is a noble Horatio, the friend of Hamlet who delivers the beautiful last lines. The rest of the cast is equally solid.
"HAMLET" is on the main stage of Mill Mountain Theatre at Roanoke's Center in the Square through March 14. The box office number is 342-5740.