Photo Flash: First Look at Quintessence Theatre's HAMLET

Quintessence Theatre Group launches its fourth season of progressive classic theatre with Shakespeare's HAMLET presented in rotating repertory with Goldmsmith's SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, directed by Alexander Burns. Quintessence's celebrated full throttle actor and text driven approach to the classics will be further enhanced by an Elizabethan Courtyard style staging, complete with groundlings, and a fast and furious two hour abridgement of HAMLET. HAMLET began previews on Wednesday, October 9 at 7pm and opened on Saturday, October 12. SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER will begin previews on Thursday, October 17 at 7pm and open on Saturday, October 26 at 8pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at HAMLET below!

Prince Hamlet returns from university to bury his father and attend the surprising and hasty marriage of his mother to his uncle. The ghost of his father visits the grieving Hamlet and reveals a mystery that could destroy not only his family, but the sovereignty of Denmark. Betrayed by family, lovers, and friends, Hamlet's quest for truth and vengeance takes him and the audience, deeper into danger and the labyrinth of his own mind. Prepare to be thrilled by the legendary speeches and unstoppable force of Shakespeare's great revenge tragedy as Artistic Director Alexander Burns presents a two-hour cutting, destroying the myth of the "Man Who Could Not Make Up His Mind."

Inspired by Michael Boyd, the emeritus Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company in England, Quintessence will continue to test the limits of the theatrical medium by reformatting the Sedgwick Theater into a Courtyard style theater, established when the courtyard's of Elizabethan inn's were used as performance venues, for its fall repertory. At the Sedgwick the seated audience will be placed on elevated risers around the central stage, allowing the audience to look down on the action in the yard below. With an eye toward removing the "fourth wall" and further engaging the audience in the theatrical event, the remainder of the audience will stand in the "pit" around the stage platform and be encouraged to interact with the production, much like the groundlings at Shakespeare's Globe. $10 Groundling tickets will be available for all performances.

Following his celebrated performance as Iago in last season's OTHELLO, Quintessence ensemble member Josh Carpenter* will lead the fall repertory as Hamlet, and Marlow in SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER. He will be joined by Quintessence regulars Daniel Fredrick as Rosencrantz and Hastings (Poprischin in THE DIARY OF A MADMAN), Rachel Brodeur as Ophelia and Miss Constance (Nina in THE SEAGULL), Sean Bradley as Laertes and Tony Lumpkin (The Guard in ANTIGONE, Bassanio in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE) and Alexander Harvey as Guildenstern and Pimple (Emilia in OTHELLO). Quintessence is also excited to welcome the return of E. Ashley Izard as Gertrude and Mrs. Hardcastle, Sonja Fieldas Kate Hardcastle, Matt Lorenz as Horatio and Griffin Stanton-Ameisen as Fortinbras. They will be joined by John Preston* as Polonius and Mr. Hardcastle, and Ralph Edmonds* as Claudius and Sir Charles Marlow, both making their Quintessence debuts.

HAMLET plays October 9 - November 23. Post-show discussions with the cast and director will take place on Thursday, October 24 and Sunday, November 10. Performances take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm. There will also be two special Saturday matinees at 2pm. Please check the repertory performance schedule at www.QuintessenceTheatre.org for exact performance times and dates.

Tickets are $25 general admission, $15 for youth (21 and under) and $10 for Groundling tickets (standing room). Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Season IV Subscription packages are still available. To purchase tickets or subscriptions, visit www.QuintessenceTheatre.org or call 1.215.987.4450. For ticket information, email BoxOffice@QuintessenceTheatre.org.

Photo Credit: Shawn May

Josh Carpenter (as Hamlet)

Josh Carpenter (as Hamlet), John Preston (as Gravedigger)

Josh Carpenter (as Hamlet), Sean Bradley (as Laertes)

Josh Carpenter (as Hamlet), Rachel Brodeur (as Ophelia)