What happened when Hamlet was at school–just before Shakespeare’s play begins? Well, Denmark’s Prince, Doctor Faustus, and Martin Luther walk into a classroom…
The Pittsburgh premiere of Wittenberg by David Davalos considers the comic possibilities under the tutelage of New Renaissance Theatre on Friday, Oct. 19th through Sunday, Oct. 28th. Artistic Director Andy Kirtland is staging the company’s anticipated first main stage production in addition to its popular summer tours of “cue script” productions. After five years of the Unrehearsed Shakespeare Project, Kirtland is producing the play first selected by his predecessor.
“Our first Artistic Director and co-founder, Elizabeth Ruelas, chose Wittenberg because it fits so well with our mission of bridging the classic with the contemporary,” says Kirtland. “Unfortunately, we did not have the resources for the production. Now that we do, we want to honor Elizabeth’s vision.”
Kirtland is excited about this “first step in working toward year-round productions and a more diverse repertoire” as he builds on the success of the Unrehearsed Shakespeare Project.
“The play is a fun mash-up of characters we think we know,” says Kirtland. “There is something familiar, but at the same time, the point of view is distinctly modern about Davalos’ script.”
Thus, Wittenberg sets a new pace for New Renaissance with an imaginative collegiate journey that places Prince Hamlet at the start of the 1517 academic year with his philosophy professor and mentor, Doctor Faustus, and his theology professor and priest, Martin Luther, who founded the Protestant Reformation.
Kirtland writes in the NRTC blog: “These three giants of renaissance England culture come together before they grow into the influential characters that we know them to be.”
However, all is not as rotten in Germany as Denmark soon becomes in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In Wittenberg, the “to be or not to be” of this unlikely trio (wait, or are they?) are set on a cleverly crafted comic collision course. Faustus is dealing with his love life, and Luther wrestles with his faith. Hamlet’s summer study in astronomy has raised some questions in his spiritual journey and not surprisingly he is still undecided about what classes to take.
There’s a local cafe, the Bunghole, where Faustus like to jam. Hamlet plays a lively tennis match with his pal Laertes, and the prince and his teachers all engage in a lot of Shakespearean-style name calling. Wittenberg has been termed “Stoppardian” for its Bard-a-holic enjoyment of turning literature on its ear while reveling in the kind of wordplay those who love Shakespeare’s wit will enjoy.
Kirtland explains how the production of his mainstage shows differs from the cue script process: “The Unrehearsed Cue Script Technique (UCST), which we employ for The Unrehearsed Shakespeare Project is something completely different. While UCST is not necessarily geared toward helping with memorization; it is a way of finding cues and clues that English Renaissance playwrights wrote into their scripts. It is difficult to translate to modern plays because the playwrights are using different tools and writing for a different style of theatre. For cast members who have performed with USP, their experience with UCST can help with shorthand and shared language.”
Kirtland is excited about the company’s new partnership with Munhall’s Carptho-Rusyn Center for Wittenberg: “This is also the first time the show is being performed in Pittsburgh, so a first for us is also a first for the local theatre community. We have the opportunity to put the show up in a neighborhood that is on the rise and does not have a theatre close by.” The performances staged in an intimate proscenium setting, can accommodate 60 patrons, so order your tickets early.
Wittenberg runs October 19th to 28th at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 6 pm on Sundays. Tickets are $20, with the Sun., Oct. 28 performance pay what you will.
The Carpatho-Rusyn Cultural Center is located at 915 Dickson St. in Munhall (15120). Street parking is available, and patrons may also park in the lot of the Hungarian Reform Church across 10th St. from the Center.
You can explore the details on the show, actors, and New Renaissance Theatre’s ongoing work at www.newrentheatre.com.
Yvonne Hudson, a Pittsburgh-based writer, publicist, actor, and singer, joined PITR as a writer and adviser in February 2016. She began performing and writing during high school in Indiana, PA. The Point Park journalism grad credits her Globe editor for first assigning her to review a play. Yvonne is grateful to Dr. Attilio Favorini for master’s studies at Pitt Theatre Arts, work at Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival, and believing in her Shakespearean journey. When not working with nonprofits, this lifelong chorister sings with Calvary UM Church’s annual Messiah choir. Having played Juliet’s Nurse for Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks, Yvonne is now seen in her solo shows, Mrs Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson: The Poet Lights the Lamp. Goals: See all of Shakespeare’s plays in production and memorize more Sonnets. Fave quotes: “Good deed in a naughty world,” “Attention must be paid,” and “A handbag?” Twitter @msshakespeare Facebook: PoetsCornerPittsburgh LinkedIn
Categories: Feature