Timeless 'Hamlet' coming to Shakespeare festival

Director Pat Lewkowicz says young actors continue to be drawn to Shakespeare. In fact, 13 people are performing for the third year.

By JORGE SANCHEZ

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 11, 2000

A cast of veteran Shakespearean actors will bring the revenge story of Hamlet to the Citrus County Art League's stage this weekend at the annual Shakespeare in the Hills festival.

For those who think Shakespeare's dated language may not attract the attention of today's young people, director Pat Lewkowicz said the allure of the Bard is as strong as ever.

"We have 13 people coming back for their third year," Lewkowicz said of the young actors in the play. "They love it. We usually have 40 to 45 people coming out for auditions."

The cast is performing Hamlet in the original Shakespearean language, she said.

"It wasn't as hard as you might think to coach them on the dialogue. They had a few rough spots, but they've learned it really well."

The play features Micheil McElvey, 17, in the title role of Hamlet, the young prince.

"Hamlet's uncle murdered (Hamlet's) father and then married his mother," McElvey said. "The play can be performed in contemporary times or in Shakespeare's time; that's what I like about it."

McElvey, a senior at Crystal River High, said his favorite scene comes at the conclusion of the play.

"That's when everybody dies," he said.

The play will be performed both on and off stage. Many of the scenes are played out on the floor. The audience is seated on three sides of the stage in a semi-circle.

"We use the stage for the rampart scenes when we have the ghost, and most of the other scenes take place in the floor," Lewkowicz said. "It's closer to the audience, more intimate and people can hear better."

Other featured cast members are Jerry Rust (Claudius, King of Denmark); Anne DeLeo (Gertrude, the Queen); Phil Isasi (Old King Hamlet, or the ghost); Tim Moon (Polonius, king's counselor); Christen Cannon (Ophelia, Hamlet's girlfriend); Jason Varkett (Laertes, Ophelia's brother); Matt Smith (Reynaldo, a personal assistant to the king) and Jarred Sharer (Osric, another assistant).

If you go

WHAT: Fifth annual Shakespeare in the Hills festival

WHEN: Performances at 7:30 tonight and Saturday; Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Citrus County Art League, 2644 N Annapolis Ave., off County Road 486 west of Hernando.

TICKETS: $8 for adults and $5 for students. Call (352) 746-7606.

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