Feb. 15 saw the opening of the Parkland Theatre Department’s first play of the season, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,” directed by Amy Penne. Based on the 1966 play written by Tom Stoppard, the show revolves around Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”
Even though Shakespeare might sound intimidating to most people, the show succeeds in being wildly comedic and accessible to everyone, even without an English degree. This play is a reminder of why Shakespearean works continue to be performed to this day. Both the source material and the dynamic performances from the two leads succeed in creating a show that feels both timeless and engaging.
The play opens with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern playing a game of throwing coins before Guildenstern notices the audience and stares in shock. The characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern often engage with the audience throughout the show, posing questions and even hopping off the stage to interact with the audience.
One of the most captivating aspects of the show are the stellar performances by the two lead actors, Anthony DeGregorio and Douglas Malcolm, who do an amazing job keeping the audience engaged and entertained. The two have great chemistry and comedic timing, which brings the characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to life.
Other notable performances include Owen Henderson as the leader of a band of actors, Ciara Kenny as Ophelia, and Aaron Godwin’s performance as Hamlet.
When asked to comment on the show, Penne said:
“I am a Shakespeare nerd at heart, and it was a joy to emphasize the comedy in Stoppard’s rendition of this story. The Champaign-Urbana community is blessed with so many wonderful outlets for the performing arts. Parkland, of course, the U of I, the Station Theatre, Twin City Theatre, CUTC, the Penny Dreadful Players, and others. It’s an area rich with talent and it’s a joy to work with so many talented individuals. I’m grateful to Brian Morgan, Parkland College’s brilliant artistic director, for this opportunity.”
“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” is a great start to the 2024 Parkland theatrical season. Make sure to look forward to the rest of the shows this spring, including the William M. Sterkel Planetarium show “Silent Sky” on March 7-10 and “Little Shop of Horrors” on April 11-27. Visit Theatre (parkland.edu) for more information on these upcoming shows!
