"Hamlet" by The Gray Mallard Theater Company at Sociable Cider Werks

Shakespeare at the Pub is back! This is the 5th year of The Gray Mallard Theater Company's summer Shakespeare productions outside Sociable Cider Werks, their only show of the year. For the 3rd year in a row, I sat on a folding chair in a parking lot enjoying a locally made cider and an intimate, accessible, and engaging production of one of the Bard's best works. And this is perhaps the best weather I've had for this outdoor production, with a lovely cool summer day in the '70s, a welcome break from the unbearable heat and dangerous smoke coming down from the fires in the Northland (which cancelled their opening night last week). I had to put on a jacket as the sun went down, the stars came out, and the stage lights went on, appropriate for this story of Prince of Denmark as it descends into darkness. Head to Northeast Minneapolis some Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday through August 2 to see this excellent production of Hamlet in a unique setting. Bring a chair or get there early to claim one of their padded folding chairs, grab a cider or other beverage inside of Sociable and/or a burger from Smashed Patty's (house-made tofu burgers also available), and settle in for some FREE Shakespeare.

Everyone knows the story of Hamlet (seen The Lion King? then you know Hamlet), so let's get right to this production. Founding Artistic Director Amanda Cate Fuller once again directs the play, and with Assistant Director Sean Michael Dooley has created a tight story that builds momentum to the devastating conclusion in under two and a half hours, while allowing for some humor along the way, and an exciting sword fight in the climactic final scene, using fencing swords (fight direction by Tessa Dahlgren). An alum of the U of M/Guthrie BFA program, Amanda has cast several recent graduates or current students in the program, and once again we see how talented this group of artists is. Rayyan Kahn just graduated this year, and he gives one of the best performances of the tortured prince in my recent memory. He's so present in the story and in Hamlet's grief and confusion, despite the planes flying overhead and the trains rolling by and people coming and going in other parts of the pub, that he draws you fully into the story and makes you feel Hamlet's pain. He's at times destroyed by grief, at times wildly unhinged in Hamlet's "madness," and always grounded in the humanity of the character.

Rayyan Khan as Hamlet (photo by Emily Garst)

This 11-person cast is across-the-board strong, and really committed to the storytelling. To name just a few highlights: Eva Gemlo in a pants role as Hamlet's loyal and amiable BFF Horatio; Madeleine McKenney as Hamlet's sort-of-sometime love Ophelia, also descending into madness; Tony Larkin as her meddling father Polonius, making the most of some of this play's most classic lines; Andy Baldeschwiler as the suave bad guy Claudius; Monica E. Scott as Hamlet's deceived mother; and Elisheva Scheuer and Bradley Johnson making the case for a local production of Rosencrantz and Gildenstern are Dead (please!).

A small square thrust stage is installed in the parking lot right next to the Sociable building, with an elevated area creating some dimension (and allowing for a neat grave opening), and a few wooden latticed trellises as backdrop. Green turf paths lead through the aisles, which are frequently used by the actors, creating a 360-degree experience. Despite the intimate staging in the small space, the actors are miked due to the ambient noise in the area, so the words are clear but not overblown. I love the modern costumes with muted monochromatic looks for most of the characters, the ghost king in pale grey, the current king in white, the queen in pale yellow, Polonius in a tan suit, Hamlet in black (including at times a hat). Ophelia is the one bright spot of color in green stripes, which also turns dark in the second act. (Technical director Nathaniel Fuller, costume design by Patsy Monsoon.)

Gray Mallard is committed to creating accessible Shakespeare for everyone, which is why they do not charge for their performances or even require reservations. You just show up and take (or bring) a seat. And the word is out - the Wednesday night performance I attended was pretty packed. Find all the info and details here, as well as a link to donate to continue to support their accessible, entertaining, FREE Shakespeare at the Pub.