GROSSMONT COLLEGE – It’s opening night and standing just outside the door to the Grossmont Stagehouse Theatre is a large group of patrons patiently awaiting the opening of Hamlet. This Shakespearian classic is definitely a favorite of this crowd. Many of the theatregoers were talking about the last time they saw this play, but how would that evening’s version stack up to their expectations?

Well from start to finish this three-hour epic did nothing less than take our breath away. Although this is the first time I have ever seen Hamlet I was amazed by how the cast, under the direction of Jeanette Thomas, was able to draw me in.

Hamlet is about a young man who is struggling with the death of his father and the turmoil of his mother remarrying his uncle. However throughout the play as Hamlet’s mind was deteriorating, Jake Rosko portrays Hamlet as a man reverting to childhood. He begins to skip around the set and he hits his lines with a humorous attitude that will have you laughing through the tears.

Another memorable player is Kylena Parks portraying Ophelia, the daughter of a man Hamlet mistakenly kills.  Parks’  vocal talents are on par with a professional operatic performer, and in addition to her work on campus, she may be seen in productions at the San Diego Civic Theatre.

From the beginning to the end there was an element of light in an otherwise bleak and dramatic play. All of the actors’ performances were exceptional.

Hamlet will continue at the Stagehouse Theatre through March 19. It is clear that the Grossmont College Theatre Department has put a lot of hard work into one of Shakespeare’s best-known plays, with it’s famous “to be or not to be soliloquy.”  It’s clear this production definitely is to be. For tickets and show times call the box office at (619)644-7234.

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Streeper is a student in Media Comm 132.  He may be contacted at [email protected]