The following information was provided by Yorick Ensemble:
Local theatre company Yorick Ensemble honors its namesake by taking on one of Shakespeare’s most iconic plays – “Hamlet.” One of the major roles is being played by an actor from Watertown.
“Hamlet” will be performed for free on the Needham Town Common from September 5-13 and feature a wide array of talent local to the Greater Boston Area.
Watertown’s T. Perry is playing Horatio in the production.
“It’s been a treat to work with such a professional and seasoned company like Yorick Ensemble. Hamlet is such a masterwork and it’s been a privilege being a small part of bringing it to life,” Perry said.
He added that he relates to Horatio, who is Hamlet’s closest friend and ally.
“I really identified with Horatio early on, he’s a smart guy who knows where he sits in the world and is trying to use his power status and leverage to bend the empire in a good direction,” he said. “He knows the system is broken and cruel and things that by sticking close to Hamlet he could get things moving in a better direction, of course these dreams don’t come to fruition and I think that’s the tragedy of his character.
Perry enjoys the role of Horatio because it has moments to shine and he is also in the background for a lot of important scenes.
“I’m excited to welcome you to Denmark! See you on the Common!” Perry said.
About the Play
Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is a gripping tale of mystery, ambition, and the fragile line between reality and illusion. Set against the backdrop of a royal court shrouded in secrets, this timeless tragedy follows a young prince whose world is upended by a sudden loss and an unsettling discovery. As he navigates a maze of loyalty, betrayal, and inner turmoil, the boundaries between duty and desire begin to blur. With rich language, unforgettable characters, and an atmosphere thick with suspense, Hamlet invites audiences into a world where nothing is as it seems.
“’Hamlet’ is one of the most famous pieces of literature in the world, and it has been read and performed for millions since its inception, says Director Colton Chaney. “It falls to new artists to both indulge in hindsight and forge new works. For us, this means finding the hidden truth and empathy behind Hamlet’s story and highlighting its extremes as well as its subtleties. We wanted every character in this production to be a completely realized person, and that means acknowledging Hamlet as the epicenter of the world and its conflict. Exploring both the tragic prince as well as the destruction, both physical and emotional, which he leaves in his wake is imperative to communicating this epic text as a deeply human story as well as an unimaginable tragedy.”
For more information about the show, please visit yorickensemble.com.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Colton Chaney (Director), Demi DiCarlo (Asst. Director), Ben Cantor-Adams (Stage Manager), Josh Telepman (Props & Costume Design), Tom Marsh (Producer), Michael Jay (Producer), Matthew Tse (Sound Design & Dramaturgy), and Amanda Tafeen (Dramaturgy).
CAST:
Michael Jay (Hamlet), Nico Miller (Ophelia), T. Perry (Horatio), Jackson Rainey (Laertes), Maura Smith (Polonius), Laura Lee Bahr (Gertrude), Alex Deroo (Claudius), Landon Butler (Guildenstern/Ensemble, U/S Hamlet), Benedict Dawn-Cross (Rosencrantz/Ensemble, U/S Horatio, Laertes), Josh Telepman (First Clown/Ensemble, U/S Claudius, Polonius), Ryn Harter (Osric, Second Clown, Ensemble), Sydney T. Grant (Ensemble Swing, U/S Gertrude), and Amanda Tafeen (U/S Ophelia).
ABOUT YORICK ENSEMBLE
Yorick Ensemble is a young company founded by Josh Telepman in 2019. Yorick is a place for local theatre artists to work on thoughtful pieces that may be too weird for other non-professional theatres, and for young artists to develop their talents from writing to acting, directing, and beyond. Yorick promotes, produces, and provides platforms for early-career artists while reimagining established works, nurturing new artists and the next generation of audience members.