Hamlet's friends get the limelight 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead'

<p>(Photo by Mark Wilson/News Tribune) Gertrude, played by Erin Matteson, rehearses a scene from “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” with her on-stage husband Claudius, played by Kerry Cordray, Tuesday at Scene One Theatre.</p>

(Photo by Mark Wilson/News Tribune) Gertrude, played by Erin Matteson, rehearses a scene from “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” with her on-stage husband Claudius, played by Kerry Cordray, Tuesday at Scene One Theatre.

They are minor characters but play a significant role in William Shakespeare's iconic tragedy "Hamlet."

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are two of Hamlet's closest friends, interjecting clever quips in their conversations with Hamlet and are used by King Claudius and Queen Gertrude to find out why their nephew is acting strangely following his father's death. That go-between purpose eventually leads the pair to agree to killing Hamlet under Claudius' directive.

Where Rosencrantz and Guildenstern serve almost as one character in "Hamlet," the two friends are given lead roles when they tell the tale of "Hamlet" from their viewpoint in one of Tom Stoppard's most well known plays, "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead."

Performed on stages across the globe, now "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" will hit the Scene One Theatre stage at Jan. 24-26, 31 and Feb. 1-2 at their venue, 623 Ohio St. No one could be more excited than its director, Patrick Pollock.

"When I first heard about this play I instantly fell in love with the concept," said Pollock, who said he then actively sought out performances of it and watched it on YouTube.

The Jefferson City native, who inherited a passion of theatre from his family and became a regular theatre participant at Helias High School, took a break from the stage while attending Lincoln University. Now living in Columbia and enjoying his work at Veterans United Home Loans, Pollock got back into theatre in his hometown doing technical and backstage duties, including some assistant directing under Scene One Theatre founder and artistic director Mark Wegman.

"After I had assisted directed 'Evil Dead The Musical' (at Scene One Theatre), I had suggested ("Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead") when Mark asked me if I wanted to direct a play of my own," he said. "It took a couple of years to convince him."

In July 2018, Wegman gave Pollock the green light for "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," and he began assembling the right cast. Not having open auditions, Pollock asked different actors to read for various parts and other veteran actors approached him for involvement.

"Terry Schoonover, who is playing Guildenstern, approached me about being involved and I told him he was one of the first people I had in mind," Pollock said, noting Schoonover had played the role of Tragedian in a production of the play while in college.

Another experienced local actor Dan Zaiger will play Rosencrantz, with Kelsie Slaughter acting as The Player, an important third character in the story. Pollock said many of the other characters from "Hamlet," including its title character played by Joe Schneider, grace the stage for "a few bits." Those appearances include Alfred played by Noah Newberry, the Tragedians played by Allen Posz and Matt Riggins, Ophelia played by Casey McDonald, Claudius played by Kerry Cordray, Gertrude played by Erin Matteson and Polonius played by Jon-Michael Rutter.

"The majority of show is Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Their journey isn't much of a journey as it is a lot of dialogue. They are waiting for people to come to them," Pollock said with a laugh. "That is a big theme, they are not driving the action but letting things happen to them and rolling with the punches, much to their chagrin."

Pollock said the blend of reality and illusion presented in this play is similar and is often compared to Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot," which follows two characters waiting for someone who never arrives while having discussions and encounters with other characters. Zaiger and Schoonover are able to take in and deliver the dialogue, comedy and drama as the two unlucky heroes they play meet a tragic, inevitable end.

"They are very needy parts, but Dan and Terry got their lines memorized. Honestly their comedic timing is spot-on," Pollock said of Zaiger and Schoonover. "The timing and chemistry they have with each other, they just have that and it shows."

Pollock said he has faced some obstacles in transitioning the play to the new Scene One Theatre space and working through the process of being a director for the first time. However, it has been very rewarding.

"I couldn't be prouder of this cast and the quality show we will put on," he said. "There is no feeling like the pride I feel for this production. It is a fun show, with lots of laughing, thinking and maybe a few tears at the end; after all, it is Shakespeare and 'Hamlet.'"

"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" begins at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24, 25, 26, 31 and Feb. 1 and 2. Tickets are $15, except Jan. 31 where tickets are $10. To reserve tickets, call 573-635-6713 or [email protected]. For more information, visit sceneonetheatre.com.