Sometimes zany 'Hamlet' has its moments for sure

All the action takes place on a multi-level stage, with no sets whatsoever. (Harrison Thorp photo)

Hamlet’s college chums are cheerleaders, selfies are in vogue in these medieval times and a cellphone vid records Denmark’s most famous fratricidal fiend’s guilt-ridden angst, in this sometimes zany, sometimes madcap version of The Bard’s signature tragedy, now playing through Sunday at the Rochester Opera House.

If Shakespeare, himself, is turning over in his grave, no worries. Where are his gibes, his gambols anyway, for that matter?

Not that he does matter. Is he no longer matter? Now we’re sounding like Polonius, but we do digress. Or do we regress.

You guessed it. Polonius (Adam MacDougall), that old fart of a father and adviser to the throne, gives the production many of its best moments with his incessant palaver and pomposity.

Meanwhile, Kelly Litt, plays the title role with gusto, despite several incidental stumbles you barely notice since the pace of the play is like an express train with no stops.

Director Tim Robinson tried to get the four-hour play down to an hour and a half. Despite its brevity, all your favorite quotes are in there, including, of course, “To be or not to be” and “Alas, poor Yorick.”

Litt, ensconced in a James Dean-esque leather jacket, cavorts about the stage like Mick Jagger at a Stones’ concert lamenting his inability to avenge his father’s murder and torturing the new king, Claudius, and his queen, Gertrude, Hamlet’s son, like ‘70s TV detective Columbo tortured his victims (Oh, and another thing, sir, mam).

Jim Burkholder as Claudius and Leslie Hamblin as Gertrude, who basically play straightmen to the younger actors’ freewheeling approach, lend the play stability and credibility and are to be commended.

Burkholder also brilliantly plays Hamlet’s father’s ghost with the voice and conviction of Darth Vader.

Jerard-James Craven, who did double duty as set designer and as Laertes, brought his usual high-energy to the stage, especially in the scene with his sister as he is advised by Polonius on how to live his life. If only Polonius had lived by his own strictures, but alas.

Ironically, Polonius’ death gives audiences the biggest laugh of the night, as Hamlet unceremoniously drags his body by one leg off the stage after he is mistakenly murdered by the prince. As Claudius enters Gertrude’s chambers, she tells him how Polonius met his fate, while in the background, the audience sees the fair prince blithely pulling Polonius – still by one leg like a sack of coal - to some nether reaches of the castle for his dismemberment.

Too zany? Perchance.

Too dull? No way.

Methinks The Bard would love it.

“Hamlet” plays through Sunday at the Rochester Opera House.

For more information and tickets go to http://rochesteroperahouse.com.