TOP PICK - Hamlet - to April 12

You should hurry over to the Duke Theatre on 42nd to see a fine production of Hamlet mounted by Theatre for a New Audience (TFANA), directed with great insight by David Esbjornson. The production is performed in modern dress on a practically bare stage, and the effect is stunning. TFANA is hitting home runs this season; their production of Othello (scheduled to return to the stage of the Duke for a limited number of performances when Hamlet closes) is also a TOP PICK.
First and foremost, actor Christian Camargo as Hamlet gives the best performance that I have ever seen in this difficult role. The rest of the cast is also fine, but I especially enjoyed the performances of Alvin Epstein as Polonius, a man who is not a comical wind-bag as he is often played, though he may talk on and on, as some of us do. He is fallible, but deserves the love of his son and daughter and the respect of Hamlet. Jennifer Ikeda is a shining Ophelia whose stage presence is tremendous. The choreography of Hamlet's duel with Laertes is frightening -- possibly the first time that I have seen a stage duel in which I felt that the actors were truly in mortal danger.
This production is so vivid that I wish I could save it on film.
-- Ellen