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Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
By RACHAEL E. KATZ
del.ico.us
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On their website, Bad Habit Productions introduces their new show, Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, by reminding us that "in every dark tragedy lies an even darker comedy." So here is something for your postmodern sensibilities. The play has garnered fame as a work that ingeniously reframes Shakespeare's Hamlet as the absurdist capers of two minor characters. In it, the original storyline is eclipsed by the obliviously profound experiences of our two humble servants, who linger in the literary doldrums where they talk themselves in circles and play silly games. It's a lot like improv theater (though impossibly witty and well-timed improv theater). Meanwhile, the world bustles on around them, and they learn from it only enough to confound them further about essential things like the nature of death and the growing speed of toenails.
In addition to the overall buoyancy and dark mirth oozing from R&GAD, Stoppard has littered his script with small gems for us to marvel at. His way with language and comedic interplay have bewitched many a theatergoer since 1966. This talent is something that drew director Steve Kleinedler to Stoppard in the first place. Kleinedler, who actually also works as a lexicographer (word wizard), calls the play "deftly woven," saying, "Tthere isn't a word out of place ... I honestly believe ... there are no wasted words, no wasted dialogue."
Yes, Stoppard is a man with loads of fancy swagger. And Bad Habit Productions seems up to the challenge, with their Comedy on Tap series, the spectrum of plays they've served up in the past and the lineup for the coming year (Oscar Wilde is next!).
Just go see the play, dream an absurdist dream. We're all a little Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
[Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Thu 7.30.09-Sun 8.9.09. Cambridge YMCA, 820 Mass. Ave., Central Sq., Cambridge. 617.661.9622. Thu-Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm/all ages/$15 online, $20 door. badhabitproductions.org]
