We Players Presents HAMLET, 10/2-11/21

Andrus Nichols (who appeared this spring in 'The Libertine' in NYC with The Fools' Theatre, and last season as Electra in the We Players' production of 'Iphigenia & Other Daughters,' also on Alcatraz) is slated to play the title role of William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet,' which will have a limited engagement on Alcatraz Island from October 2nd- November 21st 2010. This site-specific and ambulatory production, which will be directed by Ava Roy  ('Macbeth' at Fort Point, 'The Tempest' on the Albany Bulb, 'Jabberwocky' at the Stanford Mausoleum), is being presented by We Players.

Scott Phillips (Artistic Director of Sonoma County Repertory Theater) will perform the role of Claudius, and long-time Bay Area Shakespearean, Jack Halton will play Polonius (seen last season as Claudius in SF Shakespeare's touring production). Misti Boettiger ('Turn of the Screw' with foolsFury) joins the cast as Ophelia, as does Carly Cioffi in the role of Gertrude; Nick Trengove will play Horatio, and Benjamin Stowe will appear as the fiery Laertes. The cast also includes Kevin Singer (as Rosencrantz), Ross Travis (as Guildenstern), Steve Boss (as Player King), Rebecca Longworth (as Player Queen), Caroline Parsons, Cara Ziesloft, Sallie Romer, Ali Hanson and Geoffrey Libby.

The production will feature an original score by musician and composer Charlie Gurke, costume design by Julia Rose Meeks. Stuntman Trampas Thompson of Los Angeles (Pirates of the Caribbean, National Treasure) will serve as Fight Director. Anna Whitehead will serve as the Director of Puppetry. Tanya Orellana will manage the production-- which plans to use several of the buildings associated with the former prison, and much of the 12 acre island of Alcatraz, including seldom-visited areas.  Ava Roy, Founding Artistic Director of We Players, is working in collaboration with the National Park Service as well as with other local artists, activists, and social justice organizations to highlight the timely themes of isolation, incarceration, justice, and redemption through engaging theater and art installations to be presented on the island.

Hamlet is a major part of an Artistic Residency on the Rock that began last year, and extends through 2011. Due to the unconventional nature of the performance space, show times for this production vary from week to week. All performance information is available at www.weplayers.org. Reservations are required, and will open mid-September. Tickets will be available on a donation basis. Audience will depart via Ferry from Pier 33.

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