Hamlet (Hamlet Isn't Dead)

See it if you’d like to see an inspired, spare accounting of the most famous play in the English language.

Don't see it if you want your Hamlet complete: this version is judiciously but extensively trimmed.

Also HAMLET ISN’T DEAD proclaims the name of the troupe (which I’ve followed for several seasons & always admire). How better prove it than by staging the most vital production of its namesake play to hit NYC in memory? This 1 travels at the speed of thought, extensively trimmed, so every Shakespearean will miss favorite bits—the whole 1st scene! Claudius at prayer! But there’s method in the madness. Scene after scene hits with a force not felt in years. The gender switch of Hamlet & Ophelia (both actors extraordinary) on the day I saw it put their relationship at the center. This Hamlet never lets you doubt her raging, impetuous intelligence nor Ophelia his confused, complex fragility. When Ophelia appears after the break with guitar to sing her snatches, I was shattered; the most wrenching mad scenes I’ve experienced followed. The spare, effective duel & final carnage unfold with unstoppable force. And James M. Armstrong scores an eye-popping trifecta as Ghost, Player & Gravedigger!... Read more Read less

See it if You love Shakesphere. Acting is excellent speaking Old English. Lots of laughs. Actors interchange rolls. Actors switch rolls nightly.

Don't see it if You don't like Shakesphere

See it if you enjoy Shakespearian plays, shows done in-the-round, and simple staging.

Don't see it if you don't enjoy productions where classic roles are gender-swapped or want to see something flashy.

Also I saw the production with a male Ophelia and female Hamlet and it was absolutely phenomenal. I highly recommend seeing the show this way if you have the opportunity to do so.... Read more Read less

See it if You are open minded about gender roles. Each actor is perfectly cast. This is Hamlet performed with humor, emotion and intelligence. GO!

Don't see it if You aren't interested in seeing a Hamlet that's been cut

Also Hamlet isn't Dead has now moved up from the 31st best Shakespearean troupe. They take chances that keep the plays true to the canon but provide new insight. Their disregard for traditional gender in casting is brilliant. I saw Megan Greener as Hamlet and David Andrew Laws as Ophelia and plan to go back to see them in the opposite roles, not to compare their acting but to learn if it changes the play to follow traditional casting. I will continue to follow this company and see as many of their productions as I can.... Read more Read less

See it if You like Shakespeare presented in a contemporary manner

Don't see it if You don't like Shakespeare, only like traditional gender roles, full productions with scenery

Also We really loved this production, especially the actress playing Hamlet, Megan Greener. Unfortunately we had to leave during intermission due to a family emergency, would have loved to see the whole play.... Read more Read less

See it if To see or not to see. (Yes slap me it's fine.) Look, it's Hamlet and the players are good. If you like Hamlet, you should go.

Don't see it if You aren't into Shakespeare. You need a big fancy set and period costumes. Etc.

See it if You want a well-trained classical cast that lets the text work on its own w/out unnecessary business. You want a modern take on Shakespeare.

Don't see it if You want Hamlet in it's original, uncut version. You prefer more classical styling of Shakespeare. You dislike intimate staging.

See it if You want to see a production where the actors know everything they are saying and convey it clearly to the audience. & you love Shakespeare

Don't see it if You dislike Shakespeare &/or prefer bells & whistles with your productions. Also, if you cannot climb stairs.

See it if streamlined versions of Shakespeare's plays appeal to you.

Don't see it if you're a purist who believes that the most famous play ever written should never be cut in half.

Also Coming in at a mere two hours--which makes everything quite a bit easier to understand--the Hamlet Isn't Dead Company's nickel-and-dime production of Shakespeare's masterpiece is running at the Upper West Side's Balcony Theatre through April 13th. Performed in the most intimate of spaces--a tiny black stage surrounded by a few rows of seats, with no furniture, sets or costumes and almost no props--this low-budget, high-energy retelling (in which men play women and vice-versa, and the actors portraying Hamlet and Ophelia swap roles nightly) boasts such clarity of speech and character that you may never settle for the original again. The afternoon I attended, Megan Greener was a fierce and powerful Hamlet, and David Andrew Laws was a doomed and delicate Ophelia. Also impressive was James M. Armstrong in a trio of roles as the Ghost, the Player, and the Gravedigger. Inventively staged (with the help of some lovely music) by James Rightmyer Jr. Don't miss it.... Read more Read less

See it if you would like to see talented actors in an entertaining & interesting version of Hamlet in a very intimate space.

Don't see it if you only enjoy traditional stagings of Shakespeare (or you don't like Shakespeare).

Also The actors were excellent, especially David Andrew Laws as Hamlet.

See it if You like intimate performances and enjoy seeing Shakespeare with some uncommon casting.

Don't see it if You want a big show with lavish costumes and sets. Or if you can't walk up and down stairs.

See it if You want to consider gender implications in the bard's work. This score is for the female-Hamlet version, which was riveting.

Don't see it if You expect more than just strong performances. This is a bunch of actors and a stage

Also I saw the female-Hamlet, male-Ophelia version (as well as female Polonius and Rosencratz). There is room for Hamlet to be female, although some of the lines drop strangely (the fishmonger quip is a bit of a dud, but female Hamlet referring to "country matters" while teasing her paramour is a DELIGHT) Male-Ophelia is less of a fit, although it is interesting to see male-Ophelia play with female-Hamlet's affections.... Read more Read less

See it if You love Shakespeare and want to see a unique take on a classic, and prefer minimal staging so the focus is on the words.

Don't see it if You don't like classic Shakespeare tampered with, prefer plays with elaborate sets and props.

See it if you like WS re-visited. Female Hamlet works fine;male Ophelia less compelling. Actors thru-out theater. Music/drum is strg addition. Lively.

Don't see it if you want all actors great. Older actors less strong. Claudius was weak: spoke softly, quickly, w/o feeling; fumbled lines. Polonius meh.

Also Some of the actors barely had parts (R&G, Horatio, etc).

This was an enjoyable, engaging, energetic Hamlet. If you've been aching to see the play again, you'll enjoy it.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a great cut of Hamlet done with captivating actors and staging.

Don't see it if you don't like Hamlet or good acting.

See it if You like thust staging, prefer theatre performed without a 4th wall; like a relaxed, intimate environment where the actors might talk to you

Don't see it if You want classical theatre to be proscenium style, without creative liberties taken.

Also The actors playing Hamlet and Ophelia (one male and female) swap roles every performance. The gender of the characters match the identity of the actors, so it’s an interesting take to see how the characters/relationships change based on that.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to watch a version of Hamlet you could actually love twice.

Don't see it if You hate thrilling theatre.

See it if You love Shakespeare and his words. Appreciate incredible acting. You like comedic dramas.

Don't see it if You prefer set and lighting design to story and acting.

Also The staging is minimal, but the actors carried the words with such humor and emotion that an extravagant set would have been unnecessary and distracting.

The gender reversals were used incredibly well. It brought a whole new dimension to the characters. I have seen several gender reversed Shakespeare productions, but I feel that this production brought the most to the table.

The only weak link in the performance I saw (which to be fair was the second show and a matinee at that) was the actor who played Claudius. He stumbled through many of his lines. The rest of the cast was stellar!... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy Shakespeare with a fresh contemporary feel, fast-paced, and poignant without being indulgent, performed by a uniformly strong cast

Don't see it if You do not enjoy Shakespeare plays that are aggressively cut to fit into approximately 2 hours.

Also I’ve seen many of Hamlet Isn’t Dead’s productions over the past few years, but I think this is my favorite. I saw both Megan and David as Hamlet & Ophelia, and they are both handle the material with incredible dexterity and emotional gravitas. I particularly enjoyed the gender swap of Megan as Hamlet and David as Ophelia. The cast is great across the board, and the direction and cut of the text creates a clean and clear sense pace and urgency without losing the story. Being Hamlet, there will be some cuts here and there that fans of the text may quarrel with, and I think they could have gotten away with a longer running time without losing the audience, but it is ultimately a beautifully told and satisfying theater experience. Highly highly recommended!... Read more Read less