‘A Taste of Shakespeare’ makes its debut

By: Kyle Christensen
Features Edtior

Betrayal! Revenge! Iambic pentameter! This weekend, Crimson Masque will promise all of these things and more as it proudly unveils its production of “A Taste of Shakespeare,” an inventive program which will combine two revamped, one-act versions of the popular Shakespearean tragedies “Hamlet” and “Othello” into a single night’s viewing.

The show will be performed in Wells Theater tonight, March 2, and tomorrow, March 3, at 7:30 p.m., with a special afternoon matinee on Sunday, March 4 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $4 for Monmouth College students, faculty and staff; $5 for other students and senior citizens and $6 for other adults. All tickets may be purchased either at the door or reserved by contacting theater@monm.edu and making the proper arrangements.

“Hamlet,” from the directorial efforts of Bill Wallace, director of theater, and sophomore assistant director Samantha Briones, features a cast of many fresh names and old veterans of the stage, with junior Mark Mullaney tackling the title role of the troubled Prince of Denmark, who has recently discovered that his dear mother and uncle’s incestuous and malicious behavior have contributed to his father’s sudden death. In supporting roles are sophomore Melissa Metz as Gertrude (Hamlet’s mother and the Queen of Denmark), freshman Mike Wozniak as Claudius (Hamlet’s uncle and the new King of Denmark), sophomore John Wells as Horatio (a close friend and confidante of Hamlet) and senior Stephanie Haas as Ophelia (Hamlet’s adoring love interest). Additional cast members consist of freshmen Jessie Carpenter and Mike Diamond, sophomores Paul Bridges and Lindsay Brogan, juniors Valerie Key, Traci Ratliff and Adrienne Schultz and seniors Lauren Swanson, Sara Youngs and Emily Zvolanek.

“Othello,” under the direction of senior Michelle Anstett, who has taken on this project in order to complete the independent study component of attaining her bachelor’s degree in communication and theater arts, will also promise a gripping tale of deception and grave misfortune. Featuring senior Dee Jackson as the noble warrior Othello, the play chronicles the ill-fated soldier’s manipulation into believing that his dear wife has been unfaithful and involved in an ongoing relationship with his commanding lieutenant. Comprising the remaining parts in this twisted drama are sophomore Lindsay Jackson as Desdemona (the doting wife of Othello), senior Michael Seufert as Iago (the adversarial nemesis who plots to wrongfully frame Desdemona for infidelity) and freshman Katelyn Griffth as Emilia (Iago’s wife and servant woman to Desdemona, who attempts to warn Othello of her husband’s lies far too late).

Future theatrical productions for the current Crimson Masque season include “Woycezk” on April 18, 20 and 21, “The Blue Room” April 19, 21 and 22 and the Directing Class One-Acts on May 3 and 4.