Critical Reviews and News

​Letter to the editor |
​Production of ‘Hamlet’ a riveting experience

• By Donald L. Jr. and Diane K. Creed
• Aug 11, 2017​

“Hamlet,” the Band of Brothers (BOB) Shakespeare production at Stackhouse Park, was brilliant. The top-flight cast of 20 gifted actors drawn from the Johnstown/Pittsburgh region, including Carnegie Mellon, University of Pittsburgh and Penn State, delivered glorious performances.
For this best-known play in English literature, the ensemble of actors invited us to get close to “Hamlet’s” doomed characters. Although the final performance at the end of July was delayed and threatened by rain, “Hamlet’s” actors invited me and the devoted audience across the bridge over a stream and onto the stage front. 
Umbrella’s up, rain drops falling, we lived and experienced the first act of “Hamlet” in the grand room of the castle at Elsinore. 
“Hamlet’s” spirit, speech and piercing glare boomed forth to our small audience just inches from the stage. Dante Horvath (Hamlet), Maddie Mahood (Ophelia), Kate Davis (Gertrude) and cast showed a vernacular ease with Elizabethan speech in this family drama.
“Hamlet” kept me riveted during every second of its four hours. Great acting, beautiful music, dazzling costumes and audience participation pulled me into the castle corridors. It was immersive Shakespeare at its finest.
We wish to commend the BOB company’s 27-year dedication to education enrichment of both actor and community through production of classic theater in the Laurel Highlands.
As we have done for years, we will happily return for BOB’s 2018 Shakespeare production.
Donald L. Jr. and Diane K. Creed 
Rockville, Maryland

Festsylvania- Festival Guide Article (2002)

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