Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of Acorn Productions' HAMLET, Beg. Tonight

Members of Naked Shakespeare join student actors from Acorn's eight-month long training program in their final production of the season, directed by Michael Howard, co-founder of the Naked Shakespeare series and a veteran actor and director in the Greater Portland area. Shakespeare's classic play comes to live in an innovative staging that provides a unique perspective on the Dane's dilemma. The production is co-sponsored by the USM Department of English, and performs from today, May 30 to June 8 at the Wishcamper Center at USM. Scroll down for a first look at the cast!

Director Michael Howard says, "Hamlet is the play, according to Anthony Burgess that 'the world can do least without.' It contains in the title role a character so large in scope to be the accumulation of all our values and beliefs; no other play gives an actor such words of compassion, charm, wisdom, wit, impetuosity and philosophy. This Hamlet production is unusual in two ways: First: My Hamlet is a woman -- playing a man. Why not, it has been done many times before, and it is a fair and just choice for two reasons -- you want your best actor/ess playing the role; and, the Elizabethans were all men playing the extraordinary women created by Shakespeare, so turnabout is fair play. Secondly, the actors will remain on stage the whole time as if they were witnesses at a trial, yes, unusual, but not unprecedented. It is to be a dissection of the play with actors as players -- watching and reacting and ready to give their evidence. The players continually recharge their energy on the stage, and their constant presence is an ever-transforming chorus informing and making immediate the events."

"Hamlet," presented by the Acorn Shakespeare Conservatory (Acorn Productions) will run at Wishcamper Center, USM Portland: Friday, May 30th at 7pm; Saturday, May 31st at 7pm; Friday, June 6th at 7pm; Saturday, June 7th at 7pm; Sunday, June 8th at 2:30pm. Performances of "Hamlet" are free of charge for USM students and staff with an $10 suggested donation for all other audience members. Visit Acorn Productions' website for more information: www.acorn-productions.org.