Baylor Theatre to Present 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead'
by Katie Brooks, student newswriter, (254) 710-1961
Baylor Theatre will debut Tom Stoppards's Tony Award-winning comedy, "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead," at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14-18 and 2 p.m. Nov. 19 in the Mabee Theatre of the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center.
Stoppard's version tells the story of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" from the point of view of two lesser-known characters, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, according to Martin Holden, the play's director and theatre department graduate assistant.
"It's a post-modern, existential comedy in which Stoppard took the core story of 'Hamlet' and flips it around," Holden said, "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are strangers in a strange land trying to figure things out."
Holden said Stoppard mixes all sorts of styles and tones, from serious ideas about existence and truth to absurdities like innuendos and losing one's pants. The story is funny but also has a great deal of depth, Holden said.
His thesis project to fulfill a masters degree in fine arts, Holden directs this production using the post-modern approach. "I've included a variety of styles. I mix music styles and incorporated characters playing live music and a dance as a way of introducing the court," he said.
According to Holden, the post-modern approach to theatre is the individual's experience. "I want the audience to enjoy their time in the theatre. To me the best stories are open to interpretation," Holden said. He hopes the story continues to resonate with audiences after they leave.
Cast members include Sky Bennett, Drew Wall, Austin Terrell, Carl Booker, Deborah Benesh, Kevin Lee, Dustin Chaffin, Justin Locklear, Nic McMinn and Joshua Sellers.
Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for students with a Baylor ID. Tickets are available at the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center box office and online at www.baylor.edu/Theater_Arts.
For more information, contact the box office at (254) 710-1865 or visit the Baylor Theatre web site.