The Laboratory Theater of Florida will present the world premiere of Mark Harvey Levine’s Save Hamlet June 2 to June 24.
In this joke-packed spoof of Shakespeare’s most famous play, Hamlet’s friends fight against evil kings, the narrative, and giant pool noodles to Save Hamlet!
In addition to the prestige of being a world premiere, this show was a runner-up for the 2022 Louise Wigglesworth Excellence in Playwriting Award.
Artistic Director Annette Trossbach says, “Hamlet is the second-most analyzed and criticized piece of literature in the Western world. Even people who have not read it recognize quotes and scenarios because they’ve been in our cultural consciousness for 400 years. Furthermore, it’s June, the month of Lab Theater parodies. This show so delightfully turns everything on its head with fast-paced silliness that audiences will be giggling all the way through. And our version does not feature the poison-tipped swords – so bring the entire family.”
Director Madelaine Weymouth says, “Love it or leave it, Hamlet is one of the most famous plays of all time. I got away with pretending to read it my senior year in high school, and then promptly had to read it for real once I was a freshman in college. And then again as a junior in college. And it holds a very special place in my heart, but Save Hamlet makes all the fun easier for today’s audiences to enjoy.”
Mark Harvey Levine, a finalist of Lab Theater’s New Play Contest in 2022, has written a goofy, charming, laugh-a-minute comedy that is funny even if you don’t know the difference between “where” and “wherefore.”
“Our ensemble of leading ladies really get to shine and show the true range of their unique styles of humor. I love the quick changes, the pool noodles, the hiding behind arrases, everything! And if you are a fan of Hamlet, how Levine dances around the plot for maximum laughs is uniquely clever. But, of course, brevity is the soul of wit, so I’ll end with the hope that you enjoy the show,” Weymouth adds.
photos courtesy Sisk Media
Save Hamlet features Steven Coe (Hamlet), Chloe Elliott-Chan (Bernadette), Ariana Millan (Francesca)., Jania Boucher (Marcela), Guinevere Bortnicker Kiniry (Horatia), Gerrie Benzing (Gertrude), Eileen Little (Ophelia), Hanna Atkinson (Fortinbras), Terry Lavy (Ghost), Art Keen (Claudius), David Cooley (Laertes), Rick Sebastian (Polonius), Daniel Sabiston (Rosencrantz), Mark King (Guildenstern) and Zach Hendra (Osric/Voltemand).
This show opens the theater’s summer season and is included in the season pass, which is currently on sale.
While this play is rated for all ages, it does have some raunchy humor.
Performance dates are June 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 24 at 8 p.m. and June 4, 11, 18 at 2 p.m.
Half-price previews will be May 31 and June 1 at 8 p.m. Teens get a free ticket to the performance on June 3 (reservations required.) A sensory friendly performance will be June 22 at 8 p.m. (with more information and guidelines on the website)
Tickets are $35 each or $10 for students with valid student IDs. There is a new Thursday night special ticket price of $27 each for adults. Laboratory Theater of Florida is located at 1634 Woodford Ave. in downtown Fort Myers. For tickets, call 239-218-0481 or online at www.laboratorytheaterflorida.com.
