‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’ at the Center
The Spring Shakespeare Festival at The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, 661 Route 309, Rhinebeck, kicks off Friday, March 31, at 8 p.m. with “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.”
What could be more entertaining than two men pondering the meaning of existence while the characters of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” run dizzily around in the background? And what zany mastermind of a playwright could possibly conceive of such a device? Enter Tom Stoppard and his Tony award-winning comedy. The two men referenced in the title are, of course, minor characters in Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, and, with miraculous twists of language (and fate), Stoppard riffs off the story to create a witty black comedy.
At the heart of the play are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern — or Guildenstern and Rosencrantz, as it were — summoned to the court of Elsinore. During the play, they banter with philosophical ramblings questioning fate, death, madness and wondering how it all pertains to them. They interact not only with the major characters in “Hamlet,” but also the slightly sardonic troupe of players who, in the end, perform the play to “catch the conscience of the king,” in addition to giving Rosencrantz and Guildenstern a glimpse of their own unlucky fates.
Director Robyn Sweetnum Smith said in a press release that what is particularly interesting about the production is how the Player and his troupe of tragedians use the device of theater to seize control of the plot.
“They are truly driving the play at times,” she said, “and by its end, they not only seem keenly aware of Hamlet’s fatal destiny, (while themselves remaining immortal as omnipotent storytellers), but they are the executers of destiny for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.”
Leading the cast are seasoned regional actors Brett Owen (Guildenstern), Steven Cohen (Rosencrantz) and Michael DaTorre (The Player).
“Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead” will run for six performances. Additional performances this weekend are Saturday, April 1, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 2, at 3 p.m. It concludes the following weekend on Friday and Saturday, April 7 and 8, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, April 9, at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $24, $22 for seniors and children. Rush tickets for $20 will be available at the door.
Call the box office at (845) 876-3080 or visit centerforperformingarts.org for tickets or more information.