Hamlet
at Herndon High School

Reviewed on December 7, 2019

Elliot Baird
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Existential angst, bloody revenge plots, a ghostly apparition, and at the center of it all, a woman? Herndon High School's innovative production of Hamlet played the classic title character as a female, providing a new take on the iconic story.

Hamlet was written by William Shakespeare, likely in the year 1600. It was first performed by a company called the Chamberlain's Men, where it instantly gained popularity. Since then, it has established itself as a literary classic, and has been adapted into multitudes of different settings and time periods. Herndon's production chose to set it in the 1980s, while maintaining the setting of a medieval castle in Denmark.

The story follows Hamlet, the Prince, or in this case, Princess of Denmark just after the death of her father, the King. Her father's ghost appears to her to tell her he was murdered by his brother Claudius, who has now claimed the title of King and married Hamlet's mother. Hamlet takes it upon herself to avenge her father, leading to plenty of bloodshed and her own spiral into insanity.

Hamlet is a notoriously difficult role, but Izzi Hollenbeck certainly stepped up to the challenge. She used intense, believable physicality in the fight scenes that created a real sense of fear. She also handled her long soliloquies with exceptional nuance and skill. Each one showed a progression of emotion, especially as the character lost her grip on reality.

The show also featured a talented supporting cast. Kate Grover's Polonius, also played female, provided energy and comedy that engaged audiences. Gertrude, played by Ava Deutschman, skillfully portrayed the age and maternal instinct of her very believable character. Emma Harris' Rosencrantz and Jess Melek's Guildenstern skillfully worked in tandem to create the twin effect of their characters. Natalie Tubia as Ophelia used incredible physicality and control to render her scenes truly heartbreaking. The cast of players worked in sync as a tight, funny ensemble. It featured two impressively talented musicians who underscored the action, increasing intensity and emotion.

The set was designed by AJ Guidry, Jill Schmid, and David Wrigley. The sprawling castle had two floors that created interesting levels for the actors. It was decorated in incredible detail, with several beautiful paintings as well as flags, armor, and other things that sold it as a Medieval creation. Lights, designed by Ronan Floyd and Zach Wemyss, did wonders to control mood, establish location, and dramatize deaths. Esri Lowe and Juliet Morro's hair and makeup helped establish the 1980s theme. Cecily Rood's publicity went above and beyond to bring audiences into seats.

Despite the play's famous line, "Frailty, thy name is woman," Herndon's production of Hamlet shows that women are much more than frail, capable of such things as leading a cast and crew through a truly chilling performance.

Jordan Hundley
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Taking justice into one's own hands can be a dangerous game, engendering a never-ending cycle of vengeance and violence as "an eye for an eye" can never truly end until all the players are down. Herndon High School's powerful production of Shakespeare's legendary tragedy Hamlet tackled this moral issue, as there is something rotten in the state of Denmark....

William Shakespeare's Hamlet is among the most powerful and influential pieces of literature, ranking as his most performed piece as well as kindling several adaptations, including Disney's The Lion King. The tragedy follows the story of the young Prince of Denmark (or Princess, in Herndon High School's case), as she plots to avenge her father's death by slaying the very soul who committed the heinous murder, her uncle. However, her ambition slowly descends into madness as the collateral damage increases, triggering a host of unforeseen consequences.

Clocking in at a little under three hours, Herndon High School achieved the monstrous feat with grace and style, adding their own unique twist to the classic by setting the tragedy in the loud and vibrant counterculture environment of the 1980s. Overall, the cast was unquestionably committed to the Shakespearean art form as they rarely faltered in the language and were clearly able to delineate the intended meaning to the audience.

Playing the monumental role of Hamlet is no simple undertaking, and Izzi Hollenbeck triumphed with flying colors as her raw, emotional, and transformative performance captivated, and at times frightened, the audience, leaving her mark as a true tragic hero. Her obvious talent flourished as she depicted the fall to insanity in a haunting manner through unrestrained vocal and physical notions, especially in the chilling confrontation scene with Ophelia, played by Natalie Tubia. Contrasting Hamlet's vengeful motives, Tubia's passionate performance and unsettling, yet beautiful, singing allowed her to portray lunacy in a heartbreaking manner, formulating a near-perfect foil of Hamlet's character.

Alongside Hamlet was the supportive and kindhearted Horatio, played by Genaro Mejia, whose tender approach set him apart from the bloodthirsty chaos and enabled him to be the sole individual to live on, representing how sanity remains in the end. Furthermore, Polonius, played by Kate Grover, portrayed an exquisite protective mother with her distinctive character choices. Finally, the playful dynamic between Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, played by Emma Harris and Jess Melek, was a delight to watch on stage and permitted comedic relief in such a dismal tragedy.

Adding to some truly stellar performances were the impressive technical aspects. The phenomenal lighting by Ronan Floyd and Zach Wemyss served a multitude of purposes from setting the overall dreary tone, to instantaneously flashing red during a murder to highlight its immorality, to even presenting a fun multi-colored aura for the duel. Moreover, the sound, by Bridget Neely and Carlos Avelar, served to maintain the '80s theme with themed songs of that decade playing during the scene transitions, adding an eccentric flair. Finally, the outstanding set, designed by AJ Guidry, Jill Schmid, and David Wrigley, was the perfect setting for such a show with its multiple levels, intricate details, and use of the translucent screen for scenes that took place outside of the castle grounds.

Herndon High School's Hamlet was a poignant performance complete with solid acting and palatial technical aspects that opened the audience's eyes to the sincerity that it is truly a mad world out there.

Rebecca Connor
South County High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

As madness spirals ever downward, death seems to follow in its footsteps in the halls of Elsinore. And so the never-ending cycle of revenge at Herndon High School's production of Hamlet is born, complete with a revamped '80s theme with crimped hair, neon jackets, and productions of the classic song "Mad World," all juxtaposed by an astounding medieval set.

Herndon was not afraid to take traditionally gendered roles and turn them on their heads, casting and portraying both Hamlet and Polonius as female. This gave a unique interpretation of gender throughout the show and gave an extra layer of depth to one of the most well-known shows in the world. Written by William Shakespeare around 1600, Hamlet tells the story of the titular Prince of Denmark, who discovers his father was murdered by his uncle, who later married his widowed mother. This realization drives him into frothing madness at the thought of exacting revenge, and his singular goal takes a toll on those around him, leading to the suicide of his love and his own untimely death.

A role as conflicted as Hamlet is never easy, and Izzi Hollenbeck more than rose to the task. Her portrayal of this classic character was consistently high-energy throughout the show, and her physical movements as Hamlet were spectacular, especially when it came to displaying clearly the transformation in Hamlet, and the darker emotions of the character were clearly etched on her face.

There was also strong chemistry between Hamlet and the other characters on stage, particularly Horatio (Genaro Mejia) who grounded the show by absorbing every word said by the other actors on stage and reacting with sincerity. Another exemplary duo was Hamlet and Ophelia (Natalie Tubia), as Ophelia's transformation from soft naivety into insanity juxtaposed with Hamlet's own burning end. Her heartbreak was clear, and her subtle reactions made her character that much more realistic and engaging.

The coordination and similarity between Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (Emma Harris and Jess Melek) was astounding, especially during their rendition of "Mad World" at the beginning of the show. They provided comic relief along with the gravediggers (Roland Lamoureux and Andrew Landrum) who lightened an otherwise heavy show. Gertrude (Ava Deutschman) was another standout character, with her sincerity and caring for Hamlet coming across crystal clear. The Player Troupe also did a tremendous job, especially during the reenactment of the story of Gonzago, with the Player Queen (Ryen Weston) providing an especially memorable performance.

The production shone technically, with the intricacy and sheer size of the set (AJ Guidry, Jill Schmid, David Wrigley) providing a varying range of canvasses for the actors to perform their art on. It was designed to resemble a medieval castle and completed its intended effect beautifully. The lighting (Ronan Floyd, Zach Wemyss) also helped to enhance the mood, with various colors highlighting the emotional state of the characters who were lit, and a screen that provided a fog-like effect for the more mystical scenes. The sound team (Bridget Neely, Carlos Avelar) also helped to enhance the show by providing '80s-themed songs during transitions as well as the actual show itself, and the makeup team (Esri Lowe, Juliet Morro) did a wonderful job, particularly on the Ghost (Aidan Goggin), whose pale face clearly explained his state to the audience.

By the end of the night, Herndon High School's complex and marvelous production left the distinct impression that "though this be madness, yet there is method in't."

Madeline Johnson
Bishop O'Connell High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Insanity, murder, and love. These are the themes that compose the tragedy of Hamlet, as performed by Herndon High School. With a leading lady and crackling energy, Hamlet soared to new heights with their take on the classic show.

Written in 1599, Shakespeare's Hamlet follows the titular character, Prince of Denmark, on the road to revenge, the descent into madness, and, eventually, the death of a royal family. Consisting of five acts, the play is one of Shakespeare's longest and most famous works, and has been performed by numerous groups in its centuries of existence. Filled with iconic monologues and brilliant cues, it is not hard to see why the show is so beloved, and Herndon's performance was no exception to the undeniable pedigree of Hamlet.

Izzi Hollenbeck was a brilliant choice for the titular character. Sporting the hair of a traditional medieval prince, Hollenbeck stole the show as Hamlet, backed by a cast that sparked with energy. Donning the black and white, Hollenbeck stood, knelt, strutted, and ran the stage as she brought the inherently complex character of Hamlet into a new light, strengthened by the emotion she poured into each and every word and action. Sharing an undeniable chemistry with Natalie Tubia's Ophelia, the actresses brought the opposites into a beautiful romance, displaying their clear knowledge of Shakespeare's intent and language with every interaction.

Tubia brought a subtle energy to the role of Ophelia that felt truly authentic as she simultaneously faded into the background and stole every scene. In her final moments of madness, complete with minor songs, Tubia's portrayal of the heartbroken and lovesick young woman was truly breathtaking and caught the audience in such a way that they could not look away from the performance. Every move was intentional, every glance, every act, perfectly placed. And as Hollenbeck's Hamlet found her love dead, a heart-wrenching reaction tore at the audience's heart.

Hollenbeck also shared an undeniable bond with Ava Deutschman's Gertrude, the Queen of Denmark, and Hamlet's mother. The second half of the show brought the pair's bond into the forefront, and Gertrude's love for her child was palpable, especially when Hamlet sees her dead father and Gertrude can not. The way they cared for each other was obvious, and while they had their differences, in times of need that love broke through in both actresses' portrayals.

AJ Guidry, Jill Schmid, and David Wrigley's set was a work of genius, bringing the old castle of Elsinore to life. It succeeded in adding various layers, entrances, and, of course, hiding spots to the show and immersing the audience into the world of the Danish Prince. Paired with Ronan Floyd and Zach Wemyss's lighting and the use of a screen to differentiate between real life, memories, and the world of the dead, tech effectively created the atmosphere that orchestrates the chaos of the show. An additionally interesting touch were the props, created by Abby Wilson and Jill Schmid. From pikes and spears to cups and a vial of poison, and even a couple of real swords, props set the stage and completed the technical mission that furthered the story.

With their leading lady lighting the way as the iconically dramatic Hamlet, Herndon brought one of Shakespeare's arguably most famous shows to life in a spectacularly fresh take.

Cameron Zakreski
Fairfax High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Hamlet is the most performed play in the world and is often regarded as one of the most difficult of Shakespeare's works. Herndon High School tackled the demanding material with expertise and crafted a well-performed and creative adaptation of this timeless classic.

A revenge tragedy written in the Elizabethan era, Hamlet is still one of the most widely produced plays today. The play follows Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, on his quest for revenge against his villainous uncle, who slayed his father to become King himself. The story is one of madness, love, and revenge which has become a staple of theatre.

Although Hamlet is traditionally depicted by a male, the concept of a female Hamlet as it is seen in Herndon's production dates back to the 19th century. Hamlet is one of the world's most widely known literary characters and playing the part is no easy feat. Izzi Hollenbeck gave a captivating performance as Hamlet. Her Shakespearean English was well rehearsed and showed a thorough understanding of the words. This was showcased especially in her soliloquies, which were strongly motivated and brought the audience into the story as Hamlet's descent into madness was made clearer.

Equally as brilliant was Genaro Mejia as Horatio. Mejia not only displayed phenomenal chemistry with Hollenbeck and the rest of the ensemble, but was able to attract the audience in every scene with his authenticity, depth, and knowledge of the material. Hamlet's love interest, Ophelia, was portrayed by Natalie Tubia. The role was played with incredible vulnerability and honesty, as well as extraordinary chemistry with Hamlet. Tubia embodied the plight of Ophelia beautifully, showcasing raw emotion and connection with not only other characters, but the audience as well.

The show was completed with stunning tech. The set by AJ Guidry, Jill Schmid, and David Wrigley was intricate and versatile, employing different levels to display location, power imbalance, and elevate certain plot points. In addition to the sizable medieval castle, the set team used a scrim to add effects and create a sense of eeriness. The lighting by Ronan Floyd and Zach Wemyss was equally stunning, using contrasting colors in important moments of the show. The plot was primarily cool colors with quick flashes of bright red, which became more frequent as the show took darker turns.

Herndon High School's modern take on Shakespeare's timeless classic was inventive and full of talent, which helped bring new light to the popular show.

Autumn Anderson
Riverside High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

The plays the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king - or the attention of an audience! Herndon High School brought their all to their recent production of Hamlet, with thoughtful details laced throughout their set, a cast that brought energy, and an invigorating care for the Shakespearean classic.

Arguably one of the most famous plays in the world, William Shakespeare's tragic Prince of Denmark takes a few new twists - especially as a woman. The show at its core is about Hamlet, the young prince, struck with grief by the death of his father, who then learns that his uncle poisoned the former king in order to take his place. In order to exact his revenge, Hamlet must fight to keep madness at bay, as the decisions of one man create a cascade that affects everyone he knows and loves.

Herndon High School's production of Hamlet relied on essential moments to tell the classic tale in a way that impacted audiences. There is the powerful opening and closing image of the cast spread about the stage, with Gary Jules' "Mad World" sung a capella by Emma Harris and Jess Melek. As a whole, the cast and crew put everything they had into the performance. The cast seemed to have incredible comfortableness with each, their physicality adding to their scenes in a big way.

Hamlet (Izzi Hollenbeck) was the master of emotion and intention, with a large amount of energy put into her performance. Hamlet's chemistry with Ophelia was incredible, breaking apart the would-be taboo of same-gender performers. Ophelia herself, played by Natalie Tubia, commanded the stage with her subtle acting, expressing incredible vulnerability and handling the character's eventual descent into madness with grace. Finally, dear Horatio (Genaro Mejia) exemplified his understanding of the text with clear character intentions.

Despite the '80s theme kept throughout the costumes and sound design, the set design (AJ Guidry, Jill Schmid, and David Wrigley) was based around a multilevel medieval castle that featured multiple impressively detailed paintings. Another outstanding element of the set were the lanterns, glowing even in the dark of the stage. Tying into lighting design, Ronan Floyd and Zach Wemyss worked to accent the story line, with clear indications of soliloquies and scene differentiation using light on a scrim. An impressive feat, the props crew (Abby Wilson and Jill Schmid) pulled out many impressive details such as filling the poisoned cup with drink and the feature of real swords during Hamlet's fateful duel.

Herndon High School was able to take the bard's work and turn it into a high-intensity story of revenge. Their thoughtful tech and committed cast will not be soon forgotten but alas we must say goodnight, sweet Hamlet.

Emily Persil
Robinson Secondary School
Submitted for publication to The Stinger

Combining feminism and the ‘80s with the classic Shakespearean play, Hamlet was beautifully performed at Herndon High School this weekend. Although traditionally played by a man, Herndon's production not only featured a female in the role, but characterized Hamlet as female as well. The play is a tragedy about love, revenge, and mortality. It follows the story of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (Izzi Hollenbeck), who is disgusted by her mother Gertrude's (Ava Deutschman) recent marriage to her uncle Claudius (Jake Swery) after the death of Hamlet's father.

It was undeniable that the entire ensemble played off of each other with ease, as the chemistry between the actors was not only visible, but deliciously emphasized, allowing for a truthful and polished performance. From Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (Emma Harris and Jess Melek respectively) to Hamlet and Gertrude, it was clear that the actors were unafraid to step out of their comfort zones to deliver their powerful performances.

Polonius (Kate Grover) also brought life to the show through her portrayal of the gender-bent court advisor. Grover commanded the stage with unpredictable, bold choices that proved she was an actress who understood Shakespeare. Her lines were delivered with strength and poise that had the audience smiling whenever she was on stage.

And of course, Hamlet herself did not disappoint. Hollenbeck relayed the descent into madness of her character with elegant chaos, never turning the volume of her performance down and using a variety of physicality that prevented the show from falling flat. She was complemented by a lively cast that shared in her energy as well as her dynamic poses, which made the show feel cohesive. Every scene involving stage combat had a near-perfect execution, and continuously was performed to the fullest extent.

Technically, the show was very strong. The set was large and filled the entire stage gorgeously. The composition of every scene was visually appealing, as actors ran up and down the stairs and traveled across different platforms with certainty and liveliness that kept the audience riveted. The clever use of levels aided the plot and heightened the stakes.

The use of sound brought a uniqueness to the show, using the ensemble's own talents vocally and instrumentally to create a more established setting. Scenes were closed by blackouts and bits of songs from the ‘80s, helping reinforce that theme. Opening and closing the play with the song "Mad World" was an interesting and powerful way to emphasize Hamlet's descent into madness, and how the world around him slowly goes mad as well.

Herndon's Hamlet was able to capture the charm of Shakespeare and merge it with their own interpretation, and they did so smoothly.

Mona Hassan
South Lakes High School
Submitted for publication to The Stinger

"To be or not to be"- this is the question to be answered at Herndon's High School's production of Hamlet, set in the ‘80s.

Written by the famous playwright William Shakespeare, this tragic tale follows Hamlet, the prince of Denmark after the loss of his father.

Izzi Hollenbeck, who played Hamlet, portrayed the character with a sustained emotional intensity that developed as the show progressed. The audience was enraptured by how she was able to switch between the character's modes of rage and tenderness.

Jake Swery, who played the new King of Denmark, used nervous mannerisms like fiddling with his tie effectively to demonstrate his guiltiness with the murder of Hamlet's father.

Natalie Tubia had a compelling performance as Ophelia. Tubia was able to portray the vulnerability of her character and had the audience concerned for her safety when Hamlet was abusing her. Tubia, like Hollenbeck, portrayed their characters' descent into madness effectively.

There were comedic moments in this fatal story as well. Kate Grover, who played Polonius, had the audience roaring at her impressive use of comedic timing. Roland Lamoureux and Andrew Landrum who played the two gravediggers were a comedic duo who played off each other well and provided some light to a dark show.

The actors in the player troupe were eclectic and were able to create a sense of individuality among their characters. The bright and colorful ‘80s costumes they wore stood out, although along with the transition music, these were the only 80s elements that could have been utilized more.

The intricate fight choreography added to the high-stakes notion in the duel between Laertes and Hamlet.

The set was detailed and the use of royal artwork brought depth to the scene. The nine candles in the background represented the nine deaths, which was a creative touch to the show. Set changes flowed smoothly and lighting was used effectively to reveal when a murder occurred or the presence of ghosts. Special effects such as reverb added to the dramatic tension when Hamlet is encountering the ghost of her dead father.

Makeup in the show amplified the appearance of Aidan Goggin, who played the former King of Denmark, the makeup effectively made him resemble a ghost. Along with the makeup, his mannerisms aided him in his effective performance.

The cast of Herndon High School's production of Hamlet was able to do a new take of this classic tale, but stay true to its story. With terrific fight choreography, a beautiful set, and a stellar cast, you'll won't want to miss this incredible re-imagining of Hamlet.