MOXIE Theatre’s mission is "to create more diverse and honest images of women and for our culture."
"The Room In The Castle" is just the third staging and West Coast Premiere of Gunderson’s play as Moxie Theatre in Rolando is closing out its 21st season.
“A Room in The Castle” deftly directed by Kim Strassburger (“The Lehmann Trilogy”) would only make sense then, that Ms. Gunderson’s ‘Castle’, all about Shakespeare’s Tragedy “Hamlet”, be told from a woman’s perspective, be directed by a woman and star three brilliant women.
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| Dianne Yvette as Gertrude |
Suffice it to say all three women Ophelia (Lyric Booth), Gertrude (Dianne Yvette) and Anna (Vanessa Dinning) are outstanding as the Acts play out, following the play, but from a woman’s perspective, of course while the men in question unfold as vilified for keeping their women blindsided, misguided, insane, imprudent and taken advantage of. At one point Hamlet orders Ophelia to the Nunnery after he forces himself on her.
Inside the ‘Room’, or Ophelia’s chambers, Ophelia is singing a love song to Hamlet when Gertrude comes in full force and tells, yes tells Ophelia that she will marry Hamlet. Standing by Anna (Gunderson’s own addition as a Ladies Maid) helps Ophelia adapt to the fact she will marry Hamlet, and she will help make the arrangements. Ophelia is ever so hopeful that the marriage will be good as her song mentions.
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| Lyric Boothe |
One doesn’t necessarily have to know “Hamlet” but it wouldn’t hurt “To Brush Up Your Shakespeare” even though the program notes pretty much give you a detailed wrap of each scene.
As the Scenes unfold: “The Ghost Scene”, “The Nunnery Scene” “The Players Scene”, “The Queen’s Closet Scene”, “Ophelia’s Mad Scene”, “Gertrude’s Drowning Scene”, “The Graveyard Scene” and finally “The Final Scene” , they are mashed together by two screens on either side of the stage as time rushes by. (oft times a bit too loud and disturbing)
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| Lyric Boothe, Vanessa Dinning ad Dianne Yvette |
Zoe Yahrling is credited for sound design, Michael Wogulis, projections and video design, Bonnie Durban for props Julie Lorenz for set design which is very sparse with a hanging chandelier that looks like crown hanging above, Anabel Olguin-Natale for costumes suited to each character with an added dagger necklace to complete the look and Stephanie Ma’Alona for lighting.
Angel Page Smigielski, stage manager.
Enjoy.
See you at the theatre. Not much time left!
When: Runs through June 7. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays
Where: Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Suite N, Rolando
Tickets: $20-$88
Phone: (858) 598-7620
Photo: Moxie Theatre
Online: moxietheatre.com
