Ophelia given scond chance at life by Student Players

The student-run theater group University Players brought Hamlet’s Ophelia back to life this weekend in its production of “Twelve Ophelias,” directed by junior Kelly Lusk.

The set had three main features: a swing set on stage right, a main floor in the center and a chair on stage left. The back of the stage was also filled with a mixture of old bottles and boxes, a mattress against the wall and a Barbie head.

The show was performed in an unconventional theatrical space – an old classroom in the Theater Annex.

“A classroom was not ideal,” Lusk said. “But I think people appreciated the found space.”

The show started where William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” left off – after the death of Ophelia, played by junior Kerry Ipema. She emerges from the water, and things are very different from when she had left.

Throughout her journey onstage, Ophelia tries to find her way on her own but is repeatedly pulled away by Rude Boy, played by sophomore Nolan Hart.

After being hurt by Rude Boy, Ophelia moves in with Gertrude, played by Nelmarie Zayas, who runs the brothel in town.

Audience members couldn’t stop laughing at Gertrude’s witty banter with Ophelia.

“I was really happy to see non-theater people come and enjoy it,” Lusk said. “Especially to a non-traditional show like this.”

While the names in this show have changed, the major characters from “Hamlet” are present. For example, Rude Boy represents Hamlet. The only new character is Mina, the town prostitute played by senior Lauren Bourke.

But the big difference is that this show is a musical. Senior Loren Gurman created all the music in the production.

Sophomore Vishnu Ramaswami, an audience member, said he really enjoyed the music being a part of the production.

“It was really great,” Ramaswami said. “I thought that the singing was awesome.”
What happened on stage appeared to be limitless and included drugs, sex scenes, a rape scene and even a rave.

In the play, Ophelia is the tragic woman scorned by her man who, no matter how many times she leaves him, always comes back. In his note to the audience, Lusk explained how everyone can connect with Ophelia because everyone has lost loves.
“It was really complicated and intense at the same time,” sophomore Rachael Klarich said. “It left you thinking.”

The play gives Ophelia a chance to save herself from her past actions. In Shakespeare’s version, Ophelia is so overcome by tragedy and sorrow that she thinks she has no other choice but to drown herself. In this production, even after Rude Boy repeatedly scorns her, she leaves empowered, realizing she has the choice not to drown.

“The acting was so great,” audience member Philip Roy said. “It blew all of my expectations.”