Photo: Jasper Wolf as Hamlet

Ezra Flam loves directing Shakespeare. And of all the plays in the folio, the director and producer of the Belmont High School Performance Arts Company’s production of “Hamlet” is drawn most to the tragedy of the Prince of Denmark.

“It’s my favorite Shakespeare play and so for me I love everything about it,” said Flam who is following a long-time Belmont High tradition of putting on productions of the Bard’s works with Hamlet.

“For me in particular, I do love the way the play balances comedy, introspection, serious drama and tragedy. It’s more than just a revenge story. It really is an existential rumination on life,” said Flam.

“I think Hamlet the character has so many points in the play where he particularly articulates that we make and do with our lives, and provides us an awareness and a sense of that we have a finite time on earth,” he said. 

“There are some really beautiful meditations on that theme,” said Flam.

Flam wants the audience to know that while this play is a tragedy – all the main characters are dead when the final curtain falls – there are times of comic relief and wit.

“I think that every play has an opportunity to have something funny, that’s just in the script,” he said.  

“Shakespeare put the gravedigger scene at the start of the last act on purpose because you need a moment after so mush drama that’s a wake up call, ‘hey, we’re not done yet. There’s more coming!'” said Flam. 

The production stars Jasper Wolf as Hamlet, Miriam Cubstead as Ophelia, Oliver Leeb as King Claudius, Maerose Pepe as Gertrude, Sammy Haines as Laertes and Lennart Nielsen as Polonius.

The clean modern stage design is by Anna Moss and Lila West created the pseudo-19th century white and black costumes while lighting is by Chris Fournier.

Performances are Thursday, Nov. 3; Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5. All performances begin at 7 p.m. in the Belmont High School auditorium.

ADULTS: $12 in advance, $15 at the door; STUDENTS: $5 (BHS Students come free on Thursday!)

WHERE TO GET TICKETS:
Tickets are now on sale at Champions Sporting Goods in Belmont Center. Tickets for students will be on sale outside the BHS Cafeteria and in the Library during select mods the week of the show.