Known for their distinctive style and award-winning productions, local theater ensemble to present a sleekly curated version of the classic revenge play. The production showcases Shakespeare for a contemporary audience using cinematic elements such as underscored scenes, a striking set, and a high fashion aesthetic.
(Scranton, PA) – The New Vintage Ensemble is proud to announce its upcoming production of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet in partnership with the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple. Performances will run Friday, January at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, January 9 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 15 at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, January 16 at 2:00 p.m. at 8:00 p.m. in Shopland Hall at the Scranton Cultural Center. Tickets are $15. Hamlet is perhaps Shakespeare’s most well-known and recognizable work.
The story follows the title character, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, as he seeks revenge for his father’s murder.
Conor O’Brien, co-founder and Executive Director of the Scranton Fringe Festival, will step into the title role. “[Hamlet] is intelligent and intense, but can be self-indulgent as well. I find him to embody a lot of the stereotypical characteristics of my own generation – myself not excluded from that judgement,” said O’Brien. “I can be self-absorbed, resulting in paranoia about how I am being perceived by others. Hamlet of course has valid reasons to be concerned, but in some ways he creates even more toxic situations to deal with than what was needed.”
With a rich cast of characters, Hamlet explores the darkness within ourselves and the depths we will go to in grief. “It’s been a truly collaborative experience from conception to execution,” said Casey Thomas, Director of Hamlet. “Since Shakespeare is so frightening to both performers and theater goers alike, it was always our intent to shatter those perceptions.”
The text has been shortened and softened. Dramatic styling in terms of both light and costume have been explored. Additionally, audience members can expect musically underscored scenes, play with color and texture, and a minimalist set that keeps the focus on the actors. The look and feel can be described as very “Alexander McQueen/Birds of Prey”.
“I aim to use cinematic elements to help reinvent the theater experience so that the audience is immersed in a visual and sensory environment that grabs them from the beginning and doesn’t let go till the credits roll,” said Thomas. “I think that crossing these two different worlds will really surprise a whole new group of patrons.”
“It’s funny because when Casey first asked me to assist him, I thought, ‘Okay, I I know the play, I know the literary theory and all the textbook things you’re supposed to know,’” said Sarah Regan, Assistant Director and ensemble actor making a cameo as the Player Queen. “But as we dug further into the script and his vision for the show became more clear, there were all these great things that kept coming into light: character nuances, staging possibilities, things like that. It’s a really exciting process.”
The collaboration with the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple is a first for the New Vintage Ensemble. In years past, the local theater company has performed in numerous venues throughout the region, including in churches, pubs, restaurants, and found spaces. “We’re so excited to be working with the Scranton Cultural Center on this production,” said Thomas.
While the New Vintage Ensemble’s adaptation of Hamlet has been in the works for several months, the play itself has garnered much interest recently, both regionally and throughout the greater arts community. “There’s a renewed interest in Hamlet,” said Mandy Pennington, doubling as an ensemble actor and Supervising Producer for the performance. “While Shakespeare never goes out of style, Benedict Cumberbatch’s run as the title character in London has people revisiting the work.”
“I find it a privilege to be playing this historic role,” said O’Brien.“There is something awe inspiring to be taking on a character that has been performed and analyzed by so many great artists and scholars for centuries.” Including the New Vintage Ensemble’s production of Hamlet, there are three upcoming performances that will bring characters of Hamlet to life:
- Gaslight Theater Company will deliver an East Coast premiere of Drowning Ophelia, an original play by local playwright, Rachel Luann Strayer from January 28 to January 31 at The Theater at Lackawanna College.
- Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre will present a jazz age interpretation of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet from January 22 to January 31.
“It’s amazing – we’ll have three Ophelias in Northeastern Pennsylvania at once,” said Pennington. “We’re excited to kick off a season of Hamlet-related performances.”
SUMMARY
- HAMLET
- Presented by the New Vintage Ensemble & The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple
- Directed by Casey Thomas
- Shopland Hall at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA
- January 8, 9, 15, & 16
- Friday shows at 8:00 p.m., Saturday shows at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
- Tickets are $15 and are available via Ticketmaster:
- Online here or at ScrantonCulturalCenter.org
- By Phone: During Box Office Hours 570.344.1111 and Ticketmaster Charge by Phone After Hours at 800.745.3000
- In Person : Fidelity Box Office at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 North Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503
- In Person: All Regional Ticketmaster Outlets, including Boscovs, Gallery of Sound and Select Walmart Locations
ABOUT THE NEW VINTAGE ENSEMBLE Founded in 2013, the New Vintage Ensemble is a collective of actors from Northeastern Pennsylvania dedicated to producing innovative and interactive theater while helping the art community of the Scranton region thrive. Their distinctive style and passion for engaging audiences has resulted in award-winning and internationally-recognized productions as well as regional premieres of original works. For more information, visit newvintageensemble.com.
ABOUT THE SCRANTON CULTURAL CENTER The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple (SCCMT) is a hub for cultural events, regional performances, and community engagement for all of Northeastern Pennsylvania. It plays host to national tours of Broadway musicals and concerts, as well as national and regional artists. Learn more at scrantonculturalcenter.org