The Westfield High School Theatre Department is proud to present Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead Thursday, November 15, Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17.
A hilarious twist on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the play follows the musings and misadventures of two minor Hamlet characters, Rosencrantz (Abbie Painter) and Guildenstern (Julia Salvato).
Prince Hamlet of Denmark (Matthew Meizner) sets out to avenge his father’s murder, all the while trying desperately to maintain his sanity. How does the prince’s erratic behavior appear to two casual bystanders not clued in on Hamlet’s schemes?
Part Shakespearean tragedy, part Laurel and Hardy comedy routine, part Waiting for Godot absurdity, Tom Stoppard’s masterful debut play calls fate, free will, art, reality, communication, and the very constructs of theatre into question, all the while leading the two honorable, adventurous, brilliant, and inept characters on their path to their unfortunate, unavoidable, infamous fate.
”Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead turns one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays on its head by putting two minor characters into the leading roles and presenting the antics of the royals through their eyes,“ said Director Daniel Devlin. “By telling the story of Hamlet through the eyes of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, we see a very different tale. One in which these simple, average everyman characters are now the center of the story and yet, without the words and directions of their creator, they are constantly at a loss as what to do or why they are even here at all.”
Additional cast members include: Elisa Saint-Devin, as The Player, Anthony Butera as Alfred, Olivia Ebel, Finn McGurn, Liz Rosenberg, Sophia Rossetti, Remi Shendell, Alexandra Sica, Sophie Tananbaum, McKenzie Waddell as Tragedians, Matthew Meixner as Hamlet, Katie Ceraso as Ophelia, Aishik Palit as Claudius, Lily Paone as Gertrude, Emma Herber as Polonius, Vincent Mora as Horatio, Talia McRoberts as 1st Ambassador, Jessie Karlin as 2nd Ambassador, Eva Boyes as Fortinbras , Noah Lipkind as 1st Soldier, Gianni Pizzi as 2nd Soldier. Courtiers, Attendants, and Pirates are played by Eva Boyes, Meredith Case, Jessie Karlin, Noah Lipkind, Talia McRoberts, Vincent Mora, Gianni Pizzi.
In addition to the on-stage talent, WHS students play a large role behind the scenes, working on the show’s costumes, makeup, props, lighting and sound, and designing and building the set.
The award-winning Westfield High School Theatre Department is an inclusive community offering outstanding opportunities for all students to develop their skills in acting, technical theatre, and live performance. Its mission is to help every student reach their highest potential as an artist and as an individual.
Tickets for “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” are $14 each and are on sale at whstd.booktix.com. Advance purchases are recommended. Any tickets not sold in advance will be available at the door. Tickets are reserved seating. Performances begin at 4 p.m. on November 15 and at 7:30 p.m. on November 16 and 17. All performances will be held in the auditorium of Westfield High School, located at 550 Dorian Road.
The Westfield High School Theatre Department is proud to present Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead on Thursday, November 15, Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17. Rehearsing back row (L-R) are Remi Shendell, Sophie Tananbaum, Elizabeth Rosenberg, Anthony Butera and front row (L-R) Abigail Painter, Alexandra Sica, Finn McGurn, Julia Salvato, McKenzie Waddell, Elisa Saint-Denis, Olivia Ebel, and Sophia Rossetti.
Photo Credit: Westfield High School Theatre Department.
