Just as I anticipated, this past week just FLEW by.

I can’t even put into words how incredible this experience was and honestly I am still trying to process it all.

I will make sure to post a photo of my husband and I together when we get one.  But in the meantime I thought I’d post some images I took myself during the other cast’s rehearsal/performances.

Frank Shott as Hamlet, Act I Scene 1

Frank Shott as Hamlet and Ashley Lynn as Ophelia, Act I Scene 2

Stephen Mills as the Ghost of Hamlet's deceased father in Act I Scene 3

Act I, Scene 5

Above:

A scene we call “Letters” in which Ophelia, at her father’s demand, returns the “remembrances” (or love letters) that Hamlet has given her.  She dances with Hamlet as well as his three alter-egos or “Shadow Hamlets”

Act I Scene 5. Ashley with Christopher Swaim ("Hamlet II")

Ashley and Frank in Act I Scene 5

Ed Carr as Claudius in the tube as Frank Shott as Hamlet looks on.

The following are a series of photographs from Act II Scene 8 where after the death of her father and rejection of Hamlet, Ophelia spirals into madness and ends up drowning in the water.

Ashley in Act I Scene 8

Ashley in Act I Scene 8

Ashley in Act I Scene 8

Ashley in Act I Scene 8

Ashley in Act I Scene 8

Ashley in Act I Scene 8

Ashley in Act I Scene 8

While Ashley is in the troth of water, upstage behind a scrim three “Dream Ophelias” dance with Hamlet, Polonius (her father), and Laertes (her brother).

Frank as Hamlet with Beth Terwilleger as a Dream Ophelia in Act I Scene 8

Ashley in Act I Scene 8

The scene ends with Ophelia (Ashley) suspended upstage center “drowning” while the other Ophelias and their partners continue to dance.   In 2004 I watched this scene from the audience during a dress rehearsal sobbing.

Act I Scene 8

The following photo is obviously not how this moment is intended to be viewed.  But in 2004 I happened to walk by this moment and kicked myself for not having my camera.  I’ve been waiting five years to take this picture.  It’s tragic and angelic simultaneously.

Ashley, Act I Scene 8

The drowning of Ophelia ends Act I.

The opening of Act II is perhaps the most beautiful and striking moments I have ever seen on a stage.  I watched this act from the house Sunday afternoon and it gave me instant goosebumps!

Foreground: Allisyn Paino as Gertrude and Ed Carr as Claudius in Act II Scene 1

Johnstuart Winchell as Laertes in the foreground of Act II Scene 1

The following are from a scene called “Introspection”.  It is simply that, Hamlet’s “Introspection” in which he dances with all the main characters: Gertrude, Laertes, Shadow Hamlets, Ophelia, Polonius, Claudius, and the Ghost.  It is nearly nine minutes of continuous, difficult, and emotional dancing for Hamlet and yet another of my favorite scenes.

P.S.  These walls are real metal and weigh about 700 lbs!

Frank Shott as Hamlet in Act II Scene 2

Frank Shott as Hamlet with Allisyn Paino as Gertrude, Act II Scene 2

Frank with his alter-egos: Christopher Swaim, Orlando Canova, and Matthew Cotter.

Allisyn as Gertude about to drink from the poisoned goblet, as a guilty Claudius (Ed Carr) looks on, Act II Scene 3.

Allisyn and Frank Shott in Act II Scene 3

Hamlet (Frank) just has he has finally avenged his father's murder. I love that he has just dropped the dagger and yet it has not quite hit the floor. Act II Scene 3.

Like I said, I’ll post a few photos of our alternate cast when I get some.  In the meantime I hope you enjoy these!