OCC puts the ham back in ‘Hamlet’

Tom Titus

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Shakespeare’s

“Hamlet” must be the greatest play ever written. Many playwrights

have taken their best shots, putting a variety of spins on this

classic tragedy -- and Orange Coast College has discovered most of

the plays that have resulted.

The latest play inspired by the tragic tale of the prince of

Denmark comes from Lee Blessing, who has come up with “Hamlet, Part

II,” his whimsical farce “Fortinbras.” At OCC, director Alex Golson

is offering a juicy sendup of “Hamlet” that focuses on the Norwegian

prince who discovers the carnage in the Shakespearean play’s final

scene.

The last five minutes of “Hamlet” are faithfully played out, and

then the mask of tragedy is ripped off, to be replaced by the

grinning grimace of comedy.

Everyone, save the loyal Horatio and the foolish Osric, have been

dispatched to Valhalla by the time “Hamlet” closes, but that doesn’t

stop playwright Blessing from having his way with Shakespeare’s

characters. The principals return as ghosts in “Fortinbras,” only

most of them have taken a 180-degree turn from their original

personalities.

Polonius, for instance, was constantly philosophizing in “Hamlet.”

Here, he’s virtually mute for the entire first act. King Claudius,

the primary villain in the tragedy, is the soul of repentance in the

comedy.

And Ophelia, who ostensibly died a virgin in Shakespeare’s work,

is a lustful specter in Blessing’s work with a particular yen for

Fortinbras, who doesn’t mind a bit.

David Reider plays the Norwegian conqueror as a swaggering smart

aleck. When not wondering whether to call his new kingdom Normark or

Denway, he’s plotting an invasion of Poland or succumbing to

Ophelia’s rampant sensuality. In short, he’s got his hands full --

particularly with a pair of Polish concubines (Jessica Rubenstein and

Heather Leanna).

Representing the few remaining voices of reason is Hamlet’s

comrade Horatio, dourly played by Andrew Vonderschmitt, who insists

the prince set down the castle’s history the way it really happened.

Osric, a forgettable character in the original, is even less

significant in the sequel, only he has more to say and do -- and Sean

Engard says and does quite a bit with this obsequious character.

Polonius finally finds his voice in Act II. David Scaglione excels

in the role, resigned to being an unheeded sage.

Hamlet (Rudolph Niemann) himself rages within the machine (the

world’s first TV set). Claudius (Vincent Torres Jr.) continually

repents, while his queen (Isabellita Melo) still has a thing for her

son, and Laertes (Sean Gray) has traded his earthly wrath for

spectral sarcasm.

It all plays out on an imposing cold, concrete backdrop designed

by Scaglione. But some backstage techies went a bit overboard on the

fog effects, which set off a smoke alarm and emptied the theater

opening night. Was Shakespeare’s ghost present also, trying to tell

us something?

Shakespearean scholars won’t derive much from “Fortinbras” except

a bucketful of belly laughs at yet another spin on the classic

tragedy.

The show takes a holiday for the Thanksgiving weekend and then

returns for final performances next weekend.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His

reviews appear Thursdays and Saturdays.