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A funny, modern-day sequel to Hamlet

A funny, modern-day sequel to Hamlet

The Very Little Theatre continues its 78th season with a four-week run of “Fortinbras,” a cheeky, modern-day sequel to Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

Written by Lee Blessing, Fortinbras is a comedy that picks up in the final scene of Hamlet: Claudius, Gertrude, Hamlet, and Laertes lie dead and Fortinbras, the son of the late Norwegian king, has entered to learn that he now rules Denmark with Hamlet’s blessing. Solemnly surveying the human carnage, the young prince of Norway says “What the heck happened here?” From that point on, the dialogue and references are completely contemporary, and the audience will find a number of parallels with current events. (The show first opened on Broadway in 1992.)

Young Fortinbras is an Ugly Norwegian, genial but pigheaded, who dismisses Horatio’s version of all the dead bodies as too unrealistic, and instead creates a more believable story in order to ensure his crowning as king. Fortinbras (with Horatio as his reluctant public relations lackey) reinvents all those deaths as Poland’s Revenge; he demands a Polish “spy” as a scapegoat and orders his armies to march into Poland just for a bit of saber-rattling and—surprise—his plan spirals out of control. The ghosts of Claudius, Ophelia, Gertrude, Laertes, and Hamlet advise Fortinbras to tell the truth and set things right, but their pleas fall on deaf (and dumb) ears.

Blessing has taken Shakespeare’s plot and injected his own 20th-century zaniness, right down to Hamlet being mysteriously trapped inside a television with Ophelia holding the remote control! Whether or not you enjoy Shakespeare, you’ll get a kick out of Fortinbras!

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Director Michael Watkins has a wonderful cast, headed by Michael Walker as Fortinbras, Vince Camillo as Hamlet, Ben Newman as Horatio, Cate Wolfenbarger as Ophelia, Jesse Lally as Laertes, Sharon Wetterling as Gertrude, Don Aday as Claudius, Don Kelley as Polonius, and Tom Wilson as Osric. Others in the cast are Scott Shirk, Chris McVay, Brett French, Shelly Jones, and Shade Nelson.

Reserved seat tickets are $14; Thrifty Thursday prices are $10 and senior citizens may attend any of the three Sunday matinees (June 3, 10 and 17) for $10. The thirteen performances are Friday-Sunday, June 1-3; Friday-Sunday, June 8-10; Thursday-Sunday, June 14-17; and Thursday-Saturday, June 21-23. Curtain is at 8 p.m. except for the 2 p.m. Sunday matinees.

The box office will open on Friday, May 25, from 2-5:30 p.m. and will continue Wednesday-Saturday the following weeks. The Very Little Theatre is located at 2350 Hilyard St. For more information on tickets, call 344-7751, or see the VLT Box Office page for dates and ticket information.

Fortinbras opens June 1; directed by Michael Watkins

Fortinbras Auditions

Fortinbras auditions have concluded. Please see our Auditions page for upcoming auditions for other VLT shows!

Fortinbras Show Dates

Box Office opens Friday, May 25. Phone: (541) 344-7751.
Hours: Wed. through Sat. 2:00-5:30 PM and ONE Hour before each performance (7:00 PM, or Sunday Matinees 1:00 PM).

Fortinbras Cast

(In order of appearance)

Fortinbras Production Staff