DANCE & THEATRE

• Official Website
• Add to My Favorites

U-Mary Alum, Students, Faculty and Staff Bring 'Hamlet' to the Stage for 50th Anniversary Tribute

Presented by University of Mary at University of Mary

November 18-November 22, 2009

Avg. Event Rating (4.0 Stars):
Add Review/Comment | Read Reviews/Comments

Comment on Facebook

Bismarck, ND - In celebration of its 50 years, the University of Mary will present one of the most famous plays in history: William Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Shakespeare's classic revenge tragedy pits Danish Prince Hamlet against forces in the living and spirit world. Hamlet takes on challenges to the kingdom, his family, his mind and his soul within a play rich in familiar poetry, popular scenes and memorable characters.

"While working with Shakespeare is invigorating enough, the diversity of the cast adds several layers of excitement," stated Nita Ritzke, the director. "Most of the alumni and faculty cast members became involved out of sheer passion for the characters.  Many have said, 'I've always wanted to be in a production of Hamlet.' The result of that initial attraction is showing during rehearsals. The interactions between characters and cast comradeship has already exceeded my expectations. At the rate we're going, I expect the actors to bring an exceptional performance to the Bismarck community." 

The cast of U-Mary's Hamlet  includes a variety of students, faculty and alum, among them Gregory Myhre ('03) as Hamlet, Scott Larkin ('09) as Laertes, and Jeannine Saabye ('72) as a gravedigger. U-Mary faculty will breathe life into the Danish royal family and their attendants; with Dr. Chad Litton as Claudius, Dr. Rebecca Chalmers as Gertrude and Travis Peterson as Polonius ('08).

"When we began working on an alumni production of a Shakespeare play to celebrate U-Mary's 50th Anniversary, Greg Myhre immediately came to mind because he was the title character in the first Shakespeare production ever done at Mary: Richard III, 2001," added Ritzke.

"Once we began talking (long distance, with him in Los Angeles and me in Bismarck), it didn't take long for us to devise a strategy for 'rehearsing' over the telephone or via computer. Meanwhile, work on the play progressed as the other actors played around either an invisible Hamlet or a stand-in. By the time Myhre is present, most of the action will have been planned. Our first work upon his arrival on Thursday, Oct. 22, will be 'adding' Hamlet. I have no doubt Myhre's enthusiasm will mesh with the work of the other cast members; both will be influenced by bringing the individual work together. I am excited to see the results. I hope the audience will be as well."

Performances will be Nov. 18-21, 2009, at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 22, 2009, at 2 p.m. in Arno Gustin Hall of the Clairmont Center on the University of Mary campus. Tickets are $8, $4 for high school students and seniors; President's Club members get in free and U-Mary students, faculty, staff will be admitted free with their Mcard. All seats are general admission. Tickets are available at the door or may be reserved by calling 355-8146 during business hours.

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    University of Mary

    7500 University Drive
    Bismarck, ND 58504

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Tickets: $8 Adults $4 High School Students and Senior Citizens Free to President's Club Members Free to students, faculty and staff with Mcard ID

    Info Phone: 355-8146

  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    November 18-November 22, 2009

    Times:
    7:30 p.m. Wednesday--Saturday
    2 p.m. Sunday

  • Accessibility Info

    Currently, no accessibility information is available for this event.

  • Video & Image Gallery

    Video Video | Images Images

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: U-Mary Alum, Students, Faculty and Staff Bring 'Hamlet' to the Stage for 50th Anniversary Tribute
      "JOB WELL DONE!"
      Review posted by: DFW from BISMARCK, ND., Nov 25, 2009
      

      I have to say up front that this is my first time seeing Hamlet performed, so I have no other productions to compare it to. That being said, I was very impressed with this performance. With only one... Expand

      I have to say up front that this is my first time seeing Hamlet performed, so I have no other productions to compare it to. That being said, I was very impressed with this performance. With only one professional actor, Greg Myhre, who was phenomenal as Hamlet, the rest of the cast was made up with students and faculty. This was truly a joy to watch, hats off to the cast and director. Outstanding performances by the actors portraying Laertes and Horatio. Collapse

• Media
  Gallery

  • All Media Gallery

    Video Video | Images Images

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: U-Mary Alum, Students, Faculty and Staff Bring 'Hamlet' to the Stage for 50th Anniversary Tribute
      "JOB WELL DONE!"
      Review posted by: DFW from BISMARCK, ND., Nov 25, 2009
      

      I have to say up front that this is my first time seeing Hamlet performed, so I have no other productions to compare it to. That being said, I was very impressed with this performance. With only one... Expand

      I have to say up front that this is my first time seeing Hamlet performed, so I have no other productions to compare it to. That being said, I was very impressed with this performance. With only one professional actor, Greg Myhre, who was phenomenal as Hamlet, the rest of the cast was made up with students and faculty. This was truly a joy to watch, hats off to the cast and director. Outstanding performances by the actors portraying Laertes and Horatio. Collapse

• Media
  Reviews

  • Media Reviews

    There are currently no media reviews for this event.