GORDON BELANGER stars in “Hamlet,” showing at Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill through Sunday.
Photos by Amanda Boyan

THERE IS ONE WEEKEND LEFT TO CATCH an impressive performance of “Hamlet” at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, closing Sunday, Feb. 16. From the excellent delivery of his Shakespearean English to his powerful overall stage presence, lead Gordon Belanger succeeds beautifully in producing a fully credible and passionate Prince of Denmark.

In fact, Belanger outshines some of the other key characters in the production to the extent that it occasionally interferes with the magic on the stage. Next to him the king (Nate Smith as Claudius), for example, doesn’t always feel kingly enough, and Ophelia (Kailah Cayou) isn’t quite believable as Hamlet’s adoring ingénue.

Zachary and Nicole Diestler, co-writers of this condensed adaptation, set the play in Denmark, South Carolina. “The freed slave homes in the Plantation South were (also) called ‘hamlets,’” explains Ms. Diestler, who also directs the DVC “Hamlet.” Those key place names seemed to affirm the pair’s decision to set “Hamlet” in that part of the country.

“It allowed us to maintain the hierarchy of the nobles while allowing us to bring the plot from England to American ground.”

The writers also expand the characterizations of some key roles. For example, “Claudius may have killed Hamlet’s father, or maybe Hamlet just needs someone to blame,” Ms. Diestler suggests. In Hamlet’s own words, she points out, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

On the stage, Cassandra Grove matches Belanger’s prowess as Hamlet’s mother the queen, so it’s a shame she doesn’t have more to say in this adaptation. Grove comes off consistently graceful and sympathetic. Her attendants, Fortunata Fontaine and Teralyn Hurwitz as Maidservants, also appear to be well tuned to her in their focus and momentum. Unfortunately, in the queen’s scenes with other players, that unity of focus is not as sharp.

Andrew Jamshidi and Sage G. Castellanos are fun to watch as Hamlet’s friends Rosencrantz and Gildenstern, respectively. The two draw the audience in with a bright, lighthearted energy and enthusiasm. Jeremy Dorado is also a pleasure to watch as Hamlet’s chief counselor Polonius, though the mood of his character is more nervous and concerned and not at all upbeat.

Costuming (Tara Maginnis), sets (Nautika De Alwis) and lighting (Jessica Bertine) come together splendidly in the production, nicely enhancing the action in every scene. Scene changes are also quick and smooth, lending the production an overall professional feel. Although not all of the players’ words were as easy to understand as Belanger’s last Friday, each actor’s delivery was consistently smooth and well projected.

The one deviation from the original play that stands out most for me is the emphasis on Hamlet’s madness. As Jamshidi (Rosencrantz) explains it, “his mad behavior is focused (upon) more, especially towards his mother. The audience cannot draw conclusions so easily in this version.” Indeed, it is far from clear here how much of Hamlet’s suspicion, namely that his uncle the new king may have slain his father, is based on Hamlet’s sober observation, and how much from his pronounced delirium.

The best thing about DVC’s current production is the surprisingly powerful performance of the lead, Belanger’s Hamlet. If some of the acting seems amateurish by comparison — and after all, this is a teaching institution — then the quality of set, sound, lighting and costume design more than make up for it, resulting in a strong overall production that is well worth a trip over the bridge.

If You Go
“Hamlet” continues at the Diablo Valley College Performing Arts Center, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill, through Sunday, Feb. 16. Tickets are $11 to $21 and are available by calling 925-687-4445 or online at dvcdrama.net.

Elizabeth Warnimont is a freelance writer specializing in the performing arts. She is also a substitute teacher for the Benicia Unified School District.

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