Enid, OK – April 29, 2024 – Gaslight Theatre proudly announces the upcoming production of “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” by Tom Stoppard, directed by the talented Charlet Ringwald. Performances are May 10-12 & 17-18, 2024 at the Gaslight Theatre in Enid, OK. Celebrating 30 years of Shakespeare in the Park, this modern masterpiece promises an evening of laughter, thought-provoking moments, and existential pondering.
“We’re thrilled to bring the absurdist world of ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead’ to the Gaslight stage,” said Charlet Ringwald, director of the play. “This play shows what happens off stage while the characters are waiting for their entrance. Think Shakespeare meets slapstick comedy, with a dash of existential pondering of the meaning of life and death. This is definitely a show where you’ll laugh, you’ll think, and you might just leave questioning the meaning of it all.”
The production was further enriched by a special workshop led by Professor Lloyd Caldwell, focusing on physical comedy and movement, made possible through the generous support of Park Avenue Thrift. Caldwell recently retired from Oklahoma State University after more than 20 years of teaching theater and arts administration.
Acclaimed as a modern dramatic masterpiece, “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead” offers a unique perspective on Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” from the bewildered viewpoint of its titular characters. In Tom Stoppard’s best-known work, the audience is invited into a world where echoes of “Waiting for Godot” resound, reality and illusion intermix, and fate leads our two heroes to a tragic but inevitable end.
Showtimes:
· Fridays & Saturdays: 7:30 pm
· Sunday Matinees: 2:00 pm
Ticket Pricing:
· $18 Adult
· $15 Military
· $8 Student
· Group discounts available.
Gaslight Theatre is excited to offer free babysitting on Saturday, May 11th, in partnership with the Denny Price Family YMCA, to provide a hassle-free experience for attending families. Patrons are encouraged to reserve spots for their child(ren) by filling out the form linked on our website. Registration deadline is 5 p.m. on May 7th, 2024.
In addition, Autry Technology Center will be providing complimentary hors d’oeuvres during intermission of the Friday, May 17,performance. Students will serve patrons, adding to the ambiance of the evening.
Actor Chad Swanson, portraying Rosencrantz, expresses excitement for the upcoming production: “Rehearsals for this show have just flown by, and yet, we’ve had the opportunity to hone our skills and really challenge ourselves as actors. My brilliant director of a wife, Charlet Ringwald, has really dipped into her BFA bag of tricks with this one to bring something wonderful and strange once again to the main stage of Gaslight Theatre!”
“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. (Concord Theatricals).
Gaslight Theatre is located at 221 N. Independence St., Enid, OK. For tickets and inquiries, please call 580-234-2307 or visit our website www.gaslighttheatre.org.
Don’t miss this extraordinary theatrical experience! Join us for “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” and immerse yourself in a world of wit, wonder, and existential exploration.
About Gaslight Theatre:
The Gaslight Theatre of Enid was founded in 1966 and is one of Oklahoma’s oldest, most active community theatres. Its mission is to provide a wide spectrum of high-quality theatrical entertainment to a broad audience in Enid and the surrounding communities, and to provide a setting for nonprofessional actors, directors, designers and technicians to learn and practice their art. Audition and ticket information is available on the Gaslight Theatre website, www.gaslighttheatre.org.
The Oklahoma Arts Council is the official state agency for the support and development of the arts. The agency’s mission is to lead in the advancement of Oklahoma’s thriving arts industry. The Oklahoma Arts Council provides hundreds of grants to organizations in communities statewide each year, organizes professional development opportunities for the state’s arts and cultural sector, and manages the art collections at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Additional information is available at arts.ok.gov.
