*Hamlet* Opens September 19!

The Play’s the Thing! The Flatwater Shakespeare Company proudly presents Hamlet, one of William Shakespeare’s greatest theatrical achievements, in the Swan Theatre at Wyuka Stables, 3600 “O” Street, Lincoln. The show opens Saturday, September 19 and runs three weekends, through October 4.

Showtime is at 7:00 PM. Visit flatwatershakespearecompany.org, or the FSC Facebook page, or this Blog for more information.

In this classic of mystery and murder and deepest musings, young Hamlet returns to Elsinore Castle and confronts both his father's death and his mother’s hasty remarriage to Hamlet’s uncle, who is now King of Denmark. The prince is visited by an apparition claiming to be his father’s ghost and accusing Claudius of murder. Hamlet pretends to go insane as a cover for his investigations into the likely crime. Hamlet commissions a visiting company of actors to stage something like his father’s murder, hoping to shock Claudius into revealing his guilt. When the new king cuts the performance short, Hamlet's doubts are cleared and he renews his vows to take revenge.

But even before the tragedy fully unfolds there are casualties. Hamlet bitterly rejects his beloved Ophelia. He mistakenly kills Polonius, chief adviser to the crown and Ophelia’s father. Then Ophelia goes mad and dies by drowning. Queen Gertrude is torn between her life with Claudius and the frightening accusations that her son aims at her new husband. Ophelia’s brother Laertes seeks revenge on Hamlet for the destruction of his family. “The time is out of joint,” says Hamlet, but will he truly be able “to set it right”?

Director Bob Hall has assembled an exciting and experienced cast. Matt Lukasiewicz plays Hamlet, the play’s charismatic, reflective, sometimes reluctant hero. Rachel Kornfeld-Lambrecht appears as Queen Gertrude and Patrick Lambrecht as King Claudius. Stephen Gaines is the Ghost. Richard Nielsen portrays Polonius, with Emma Gruhl as Ophelia and Scott Shomaker as Laertes, Polonius’s children.

Andy Dillehay, Paden Alexander, and Larry Mota play Hamlet’s most significant friends – Horatio, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern. The actors visiting Elsinore include Dillon Kirby, Rich Sibley, Jesse Snider, and Natalie Weiss. Members of the Danish court are played by Sara Broad, Aden Marshall, Walter McDowell, and Deb Waechter. Tom Crew, as First Gravedigger, will present Yorick’s skull to Hamlet.

The production team, led by stage manager Michelle Zinke, includes dramaturg Stephen Buhler, costume designer Kat Cover, technical director Richard Imig, and fight choreographer John Marinovich. The operations manager is Linda Zinke.

Flatwater Shakespeare is delighted to return to Wyuka Cemetery for the full run of Hamlet. The Swan Theatre at Wyuka Stables, newly renovated, presents a perfect theatrical space for experiencing Shakespeare’s stagecraft in an intimate setting. The production is supported by the Nebraska Arts Council and by Henry’s on South, which will also offer wine, beer, and snacks on sale for all shows.  

Tickets for performances are $18, with seniors’ and students’ tickets $12. Call Flatwater Shakespeare at 402-473-2897 for reservations and information. Tickets can also be purchased on our website, flatwatershakespearecompany.org.

A special preview performance of Hamlet will be presented on Friday, September 18, 7p. Sign language interpreters will assist during the performance on Thursday, September 24. Student Nights, with pre-show talks, are Sunday, September 20, and Thursday, October 1. Please call 402-473-2897 for further details about these events.

Performance Schedule

Friday, September 18 – Special Preview Night
Saturday, September 19 – Opening Night
Sunday, September 20 – Student Night I, with pre-show talk

Thursday, September 24 –
Friday, September 25 –
Saturday, September 26 –
Sunday, September 27 –

Thursday, October 1 – Student Night II, with pre-show talk
Friday, October 2 –
Saturday, October 3 –
Sunday, October 4 – Closing Night

Photo Caption: Matt Lukasiewicz as Prince Hamlet in the 2015 Flatwater Shakespeare Company production of Hamlet.

Photo Credit: John Nollendorfs.