Hamlet Reviews
Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
"...It would be unfair to highlight standouts among the actors because this kind of magic only happens through communal effort. The nearly bare set by Rose Johnson and costumes by Madeline Felauer—which are inspired by several different centuries’ dress yet are somehow coherent and contemporary—allow the cast to shine."
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
"...Art, like sharks, dies if it stops moving. By embracing Hamlet without getting tripped up on a static reverence for the original text or the expected staging choices, Kent's direction, with no distractions, special effects or extravagant sets, allowed Shakespeare's words and a talented cast to invite their audience to laugh, cry and empathize with the timeless, universal experience of being human."
Buzznews.net- Highly Recommended
"...I repeat - not one syllable was altered in the script of HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK; it was the artistry of Kent’s vision and the genius of the actors that transmogrified HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK from dramatic tragedy to black comedy. Brilliant!"
Third Coast Review- Recommended
"...It’s the top of the first act. As the lights come down and the guards enter, those familiar with Shakespeare’s famous piece know what is about to happen. The guards are terrified that the ghost of the late king will return to haunt on this night. They are joined by Horatio (Reginald Hemphill), who may not believe them, but is ready to test the validity of their statements. The scene is funny, but there is just enough tension to leave the audience wondering who might be right. As the darkness thickens and the silence intensifies, you might even feel the tension heightening around you as you anxiously sit in your seat."
Chicago On Stage- Highly Recommended
"...Kent proves himself adept at all of the many kinds of scenes this play contains, from Hamlet's many introspective moments to the excellent play-within-a-play (or Tatiana Pavela's intense Hecuba speech) to the painful breakdown of Ophelia's sanity, where Rowley is most impressive showing what a real "o'erthrown mind" looks like. He easily sustains the play's force and tension through its many moments of comic relief to its action-filled climax (where Jamie Macpherson's fight choreography is top-notch and Tulsi McDaniels, who has quietly added to scenes as a minor character, moves into the spotlight for a moment as Osric.)"
Life and Times- Recommended
"...Some of the most outstanding moments in this production of "Hamlet" come from the comic characters. As a director, Kent is wise to accentuate these characters. Shakespeare's tragedies involve a lot of death; the insertion of occasional humor makes these titles a more palatable meal to enjoy."