Naked Shakespeare to Return to Brooklyn with All-Male HAMLET

The company that received international media attention last year for their nude, all-female production of The Tempest is returning with a nude, all-male, outdoor production of Hamlet.

Presented by Torn Out Theater, the production celebrates body freedom and uses Shakespeare's classic story to examine the assumptions and anxieties surrounding the nude male form. After last year's widely-recognized success, the company is thrilled to return with a new production and to continue the debate about body freedom and empowerment.

The cast features Robert Aloi (Ghost), Miles Butler (Voltemand, Sailor, Second Man), Giordano Cruz (Horatio), Patrick T. Horn (Rosencrantz), Anibal Nobel (Player, Messenger, Gravedigger, Fortinbras), John L. Payne (Claudius), Clinton Powell (Barnardo, Player, Priest), Mike Press (Laertes), Jake Austin Robertson (Hamlet), Roland Sands (Polonius), Marcus Stewart (Ophelia), Brendan Walsh (Gertrude), and Max Wingert (Guildenstern).

Theater-goers are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes prior to curtain time as seating is first-come-first-served. No tickets are required for this free production. All seating is on the lawn, and audience members are welcome to bring picnic blankets or chairs.

The production is directed by Pitr Strait. The performance will feature design by Aaron Crosby, set and props design by Ashleigh Walsh, fight choreography by Lisa Kopitsky, assistant direction by Alexander Katz, stage management by Gina Costagliola and assistant stage management by Brittany Berke.

"We were excited to see the discussions about women's bodies that started after The Tempest," says director Pitr Strait. "But we were surprised when we saw how many people started discussing men's bodies as well. Some people rebelled against the idea that only women could be empowered by their bodies. And other people thanked us for 'sparing' them the unpleasant sight of a group of naked men. We were promised that doing an all-male version would get us arrested or worse. When there are that many gnarled and violent emotions in the world about something, you have to try and untangle them."

"Hamlet seemed like the perfect play to address these issues," adds Torn Out Theater's Artistic Director, Alice Mottola. "It's the story of a man searching for honesty. Hamlet risks everything to reveal the truth about his family, his nation, and himself. He's called a lunatic, threatened with exile and death, and ultimately robbed of everything he holds dear. We mourn him, but we don't pity him. He's won. He's defied society and exposed its hypocrisies. He's caused chaos to restore order. He's been true to himself above all else."

Performance Schedule:

Thursday, August 10 at 5:30pm

Friday, August 10 at 5:30pm

Saturday, August 11 at 5:30pm

Sunday, August 12 at 2:00pm

Location: Music Pagoda in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Tickets: Free. No advanced reservations. Seating is available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Website: www.TheFreeHamlet.com

Info: www.TornOutTheater.org

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