Henderson to host performances of ‘Hamlet’ on Saturdays in October

Shakespeare in the Park, put on by the city of Henderson and the Las Vegas Shakespeare Company, is slated to begin its tour of Henderson parks Saturday.

The group has chosen this year's production to be - or not to be - "Hamlet."

"Everyone sees 'Hamlet' as a revenge tragedy," said Dan Decker, the artistic director for the Las Vegas Shakespeare Company. "I see it as one man's journey to enlightenment. It's an interpretation the audience hasn't seen before."

Decker said each year, the company switches from comedy to tragedy, with this year falling on a tragedy.

The play follows Hamlet, who returns home to find that his father the king has been murdered by his uncle and that his mother has married the murderer.

Hamlet, as Decker describes him, is a character who has to journey through all aspects of the human soul to find his way.

"He murders, he rapes, he tortures his mother and nearly kills her," Decker said. "He skirts through the outer limits to find his way back to the center."

Ryan R. Williams, who plays Laertes, a major character who is pursuing vengeance against Hamlet, said he is enjoying Decker's take on the script.

"I've heard a million interpretations of this story but have never heard this one," Williams said. "Hamlet is so contemplative, you can't just write him off as a villain."

Even though the story centers around Hamlet, Decker said the play focuses on eight characters, each with complex stories ranging from dealing with guilt to trying to get control of their world.

"Usually, each character is a snack," Williams said. "Each character here is a full meal. And everyone wants each other dead at some point."

Michael Uribes, who plays Hamlet, said getting into character meant diving into the protagonist's feelings of solitude.

"The play starts with a tragedy," Uribes said. "You have to see how he copes and slowly but surely make it your own."

The first time he read the script, Uribes said, he never imagined that the character would be as isolated as he is.

But after exploring his character, Uribes said he was ready to walk into the room and start screaming at his mother, like Hamlet does in various scenes.

"Just make sure it's the right room and not Thanksgiving or something," Uribes said jokingly.

Uribes said the audience should be prepared to take the exhausting journey "Hamlet" is bound to lead them on.

"We go for the 100 percent dramatic value," Decker said. "Our job is to find that dramatic value and give it to you."

Williams said he likes the direction that Decker takes his character, Laertes.

"He condensed my character a little," Williams said.

Instead of some of the more elaborate speeches, Williams said, some of the lines are chopped.

"Makes him seem more like a brute," Williams said.

One aspect of the play Uribes and Williams are excited for is the sword fight between Hamlet and Laertes.

"I've done fight scenes in movies," Williams said. "This is strangely easier."

Williams said the only difference is if they mess up, they can't get a reshoot.

"We mess up, no matter what happens, we have to keep going," Williams said.

The company hopes people attend at least one performance .

"You can't TiVo a play," Williams said. "This is the greatest piece of literature in the western world. If you haven't seen it live, you should. Tell Snooki (from 'Jersey Shore') you'll TiVo her."

Decker added that plays are always in 3-D.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.