Isaac Hickox-Young as Hamlet. Photo by Avery Brunkus,
Review of Hamlet at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey
Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s plays that people count amongst their favorites. It is a timeless classic that explores murder and revenge. However, it also examines deep grief, love, betrayal, and wild madness.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) is running an outstanding production of Hamlet now through November 15, 2026. The Director of the production, Brian B. Crowe, recently said the following about the play:
I’ve always seen Hamlet as one of the great thrillers of English drama, There are ghosts, murders, spies, secret messages, surveillance, and people constantly trying to figure out who knows what and who’s watching whom. But it’s also so much more than that. While careening through a deadly revenge tragedy, Shakespeare also masterfully manages to explore profound questions of identity, loss, and the human condition. It’s heart-pounding and moving, intimately human and vastly epic; and that’s why it remains a masterpiece four centuries after it was penned.
Director Crowe brings the play to life through a dynamic cast each dedicated to giving strong performances, outstanding staging, and a little glance of staging humor. The set allows great mobility for the cast as well as lighting that changes the mood.
Basics of the Story
The story centers around Prince Hamlet as he returns home following his father’s death. He finds his kingdom changed as his mother married his uncle, Claudius, and has taken the throne. There are reports of the ghost of his father walking the grounds of Elsinore, Denmark. The ghost appears to Hamlet is said to want to extract revenge on his killer. Hamlet takes up the task to uncover the truth and avenge his father’s death. Small groups have ideas of their own. And the ghost appears from time to time to various people.
Hamlet brings in an acting group that mimics the King’s murder. He looks to see reactions. An accident occurs while Hamlet is arguing with his mother and Polonius is killed. Ophelia goes mad over the death and drowns. Duels take place resulting in deaths. Gertrude accidentally drinks poisoned wine and dies. Hamlet, Laertes, and Claudius die at the end. One of the group, Horatio, survives and can tell the true story.
Cast includes Isaac Hickox-Young (Hamlet). Scott Wentworth (Claudius). Marion Adler (Gertrude). Anthony Marble (the Ghost and Gravedigger). and Billie Wyatt (Ophelia). The ensemble cast also features Clara Chahine (Reynoldo), Dino Curia (Rosencrantz), Cole Henry Gilder (Bernardo), Ethan Goodmansen (Marcellus), Ty Lane (Laertes), Neil Redfield (Guildenstern). Additionally, there is Joe Mucciolo (Horatio) and Andrew Sellon (Polonius).
Hamlet and Halloween Elements
If you are looking for something special to see this Halloween Season, you should consider seeing this production. Here are some of the more popular items affiliated with the show and Halloween:
A Ghost Appearing on Stage
The play begins with the killing of Hamlet’s father resulting in a ghost on the loose. There is a bit of the supernatural as the ghost appears. With the lighting used, it is downright scary to watch as the ghost appears on the stage.
A Sense of a Haunting
The play has an air of the supernatural and the macabre. Not knowing where a ghost will appear gives that uncertain feeling. Additionally, character reactions to what is happening add to the atmosphere as well.
A Grave and a Skull
What says Halloween better than a skull being pulled out from a grave? In this show, there is some sound that comes out from the skull. The grave looks pretty authentic as a section of the stage opens to allow the actor to go down into the opening and come up with the skull.
Brunkus.
A Descent into Madness
Ophelia’s descent into madness is one of the most stunning parts of the play. Billie Wyatt does not hold back as she is drawn down. Isaac Hickox-Young turns in a fine performance with the character’s descent into madness as well as throughout the show. Halloween shows thrive on madness and a sense of loss.
A Body Count of the Dead
Halloween shows seem to require a body count as a part of the story. Hamlet has that carried out especially at the end! But one was especially moving to see happen and that was Gertrude dying. Marion Adler’s portrayal of this character is superb.
Go to See Hamlet
The show runs now through Nov. 15 at The F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ. Ticket Prices range between $45 – $85. To make a purchase, visit the website at ShakespeareNJ.org or call (973) 408-5600.
Special Events for Hamlet
The following ia a list of special events remaining for the run of the show:
- Know-the-Show Series & Closed Captioning: Thursday, October 22nd starting at 6:45
p.m. A pre-show talk with the artistic team about the playwright and work.
Closed Captioning provided at this performance by Globetitles. - Hobnob & Hang: Friday, October 23rd following the performance – A chance to mix and mingle with fellow theater lovers after the show; bites and cash bar available
- Symposium Series #2: Saturday, October 24th following matinee performance. A lively post-show chat with the director and cast.
- Sensory Seminar & Audio Described Performance: November 4th starting at 1:15 p.m. A pre-show touch experience for Blind/low-vision patrons – Audio Description provided at this performance.
- The Court of Denmark: Friday, November 6th starting at 6:30 p.m. A celebratory pre-show gathering fit for the royal court; bites and cash bar available
- Backstage Tour: Saturday, November 7th starting at 11:30 a.m.
A peek behind-the-scenes of the production at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre - Symposium Series #3: Saturday, November 7th following matinee performance. A lively post-show chat with the director and cast.