Area Woman Wishes They Would Have Done The Shakespeare Show in “Renaissance Costumes”

Area Woman Brenda C. Grimae has penned an open letter to the Board of Directors of the Greentilly Performing Arts Center, whose production of Hamlet has become mired in controversy following its March 1st opening. The community has expressed deep discomfort with the director’s vision for the play, which represents a departure from the theater’s usual style. Ms. Grimae’s letter can be read in its entirety below:

To Whom It May Concern,

As a resident theater expert and pillar of the Greentilly theatre community, I wish to register my displeasure with your recent production of Hamlet. As you are no doubt aware, Hamlet is a piece of theater written by the Great William Shakespeare during the Renaissance period. Until now, Greentilly Performing Arts Center has always been cognizant of this fact and designed their production accordingly. I myself have spent many a night in the volunteer costume shop, sewing ruffs and fixing tears in pantaloons.

Therefore, I was horrified when I saw opening night of this year’s production of Hamlet. Your decision to set it on “Elsinore Beach” during a 1960’s beach party has ruined Hamlet for all future generations. The play stands wretched under your abuse. I can only assume Queen Elizabeth is ROLLING in her grave! Bikinis and bellbottoms, crop tops and macrame have no place on a classical stage.

As any lover of the Bard would tell you, the majority of the pleasure of watching a Shakespearean play derives from the language. The rest of the enjoyment comes exclusively from the costumes. And if those costumes are not men in capri pants and women in the tightest of corsets, well, I ask you, whose soul will be stirred?

I am penning this letter to demand the immediate resignation of Artistic Director, Harry Merchant. While his New York credits bring prestige to a rapidly declining regional space, and while ticket sales have been up since last year’s disappointing showing for Pericles, no amount of renown is worth the denigration of a 400-year old, consecrated piece of text. No more crop tops, no more concepts, just classical text in classical costumes for classical people.

With Vexation,

Brenda C. Grimae