(English) Chicago Shakespeare: Teatro La Plaza’s Hamlet Review
Jaime Cruz
Chicago Shakespeare Presents: TEATRO LA PLAZA’S HAMLET Review - A Unique and Personal Take On Hamlet
TLDR: Coming from Peru and presented in Spanish, Chicago Shakespeare hosts Teatro La Plaza’s Hamlet. Drawing parallels to their own lives and feelings, each scene from Hamlet is preceded by a scene of the actor’s thoughts or rehearsal process about the upcoming scene or character.
Ximena Rodríguez
Teatro La Plaza Presents Their Version of Hamlet
The lights go almost pitch black in Chicago Shakes’ upstairs black box theater. Shadowy figures move onto the stage and stand in a grid facing a video screen in the back. On the screen, a video plays of a baby being born, the baby going through the usual measurements before a freeze frame as the doctor measures its head. The spotlights come up and one of the actors places a gold crown on his head.
Suddenly, the lights go out again. Voices call out in the dark. Smoke starts billowing all around and the video screen lights up again. Here is the ghost of Hamlet’s father commanding Hamlet to seek revenge for his death. And pause!
Cristina León Barandiarán introduces herself as the narrator for the evening, letting us know each other actor has chosen a character to focus on and portray during this show.
Jaime Cruz dons the crown and pulls out a small set of stairs. Videos of various performances of Hamlet’s famous speech portrayed by dozens of actors play on the screen. He lies down on the stairs and Manuel Garcia steps in calling for him to stop. He can be his own version of Hamlet, he doesn’t need to be like the others!
Cristina, Ximena, and Diana drop their pink, green, and blue skirts and capes onto the floor in front of them and sit together on a bench. They tell us their biggest hopes and dreams before Ximena performs the death of Ophelia.
Álvaro Toledo grabs the microphone and raps one of his moments then passes off the microphone to other cast members to also rap and sing along with him.
Teatro’s adaptation becomes a multi-disciplinary production incorporating videos, dance, singing, and other creative ways to tell their story.
Ximena Rodríguez, Diana Gutiérrez, and Cristina León Barandiarán
They Are Not, And Will Not Be, Like Anyone Else
One thing that the Teatro La Plaza company lets us know from the start is that they are unlike any other. After the dynamic opening scene, they call out to bring up the lights and stand in a line to address the audience. They tell us that they all have Down Syndrome. Each lists something about themselves that may appear out of the ordinary to neurotypicals - a tic or maybe a long pause before they say their line - but reassures the audience it's perfectly normal and they are fine.
After they have graciously given us the rundown on themselves, they give a performance true to themselves as well. Each member gets a chance to show off their personal skills and stories and how they saw it relating to their character.
Cruz gets interviewed by our narrator asking him about how he relates to Hamlet and like any good interrogation, asks him personal questions so we get to know him a little better.
Octavio Bernaza shows off his award winning bachata as he prepares the poison for Hamlet as Claudius. With a haughty attitude and pompous ruffled collar, he dances his way down the table, pouring poison into goblets and also wiping it onto a sword’s blade.
Lucas Demarchi related the most with Death as a character and Horatio, the only character who doesn’t die. He grabs a video camera and points it towards a skull sitting at a table. He then performs an interpretive dance while a video of him dancing with a ribbon plays behind him.
They show the neurotypicals how it's done and by the end, every person is up on their feet dancing and feeling the joy and energy this cast brought to Hamlet.
Lucas Demarchi
The After Party Thoughts
I’m always intrigued by what different companies Chicago Shakes decides to invite to their stages and share their work. And as other members of The After Party will attest to, my first response to this show was, why is everyone doing Hamlet right now (check out our review of Fat Ham at the Goodman if you don’t believe me?. But I'm happy to report that Teatro La Plaza’s version of Hamlet gave a completely different angle than just another run-of-the-mill production.
You do get English captions for those that are not Spanish language speakers, but I bet most of you will be able to recognize the iconic, “To be or not to be” (I’ll give you a little spoiler, it’ll be “ser or no ser”). They bring together a well-thought out show from the cast showing us how they related to the play, to the many different theatrical and visual elements they included, to the performance itself.
If you’re more of a fan of classic Shakespeare works, this may not be the production for you. If you love creative adaptations and like shows that are more personal, Teatro’s Hamlet would be a good fit for you.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Jaime Cruz
When
Now through March 23, 2025
Where
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
800 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Runtime: 95 minutes, no intermission
Tickets
$30+
Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at (312) 595-5600 or through the Chicago Shakespeare website
Photos
Courtesy of Teatro La Plaza
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago.
Ximena Rodríguez
CAST
Octavio Bernaza
Jaime Cruz
Lucas Demarchi
Manuel García
Diana Gutiérrez
Cristina León Barandiarán
Ximena Rodríguez
Álvaro Toledo
CREATIVE
Chela De Ferrari (Writer & Director)
Jonathan Oliveros (Associate Director & Playwright)
Claudia Tangoa (Associate Director & Playwright)
Luis Alberto León (Associate Director & Playwright)
Alessandra Rodríguez (Vocal Training)
Mirella Carbone (Choreography)
Lucho Soldevilla (Visuals)
Jesús Reyes (Lighting Design)
Marvin Calle (Lighting Director)
Jhosimar Sullon (Sound Designer and Technician)
Dennis Hilario (Video Technician)
Rocío Puelles (Cast Coordination and Accompaniment)
Roxana Rodríguez (Tour Director)
Allyson Espinoza (Stage Manager)
Maydi Díaz Vasquez (AEA Stage Manager)