BERNHARDT/HAMLET

by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Seth Ghitelman

About the Play

It is 1897. Sarah Bernhardt is the greatest and possibly most eccentric actress in Paris, surrounded by the incredibly talented Constant Coquelin, Edmond Rostand, and Alphonse Mucha. Although Sarah is no stranger to controversy, her decision to play Hamlet ignites an argument that threatens to destroy her relationships, her reputation, and her sanity.

Dates

September 18 – October 4

Showtimes

Fri & Sat: 8pm; Sun: 2pm

Runtime

2 hours 20 minutes

MEET THE DIRECTOR

Seth is pleased to be directing again at Silver Spring Stage. Seth’s last production here, Playboy of the Western World was nominated for a whopping 18 WATCH Awards and won 6 awards as well as a Ruby Griffith Award. Seth has directed many shows for the Stage including Intimate Apparel (Ruby Griffith Award Winner), Beauty Queen of Leenane (Ruby Griffith Award Winner), and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (5 WATCH Nominations, including Outstanding Direction). Seth thanks his devoted wife Brenda for her support and encouragement.

Creative Team

Stage Manager

Robert Summers-Berger

SET DESIGN

Maggie Modig

LIGHTING

Andrew Harasty

SOUND

Jeff Miller

Intimacy Coordinator

Julia Rabson Harris

Fight Choreographer

Julia Rabson Harris

Costume Designer

Linda Swann

Makeup Designer

Stephenie Yee

Producer

Elizabeth Butterworth

Carpenter

Steve Leshin

Assistant Stage Manager

Mary Ghitelman

Props Designer

Norma Andrews

Cast & Bios

Andrea Spitz

Sarah Bernhardt

Andrea Spitz (Sarah Bernhardt) is a frequent flyer in DC area theater, pleased to land back at her neighborhood stage. WATCH Award–winning performances as Elizabeth Proctor (The Crucible) and Charlotte (Moon Over Buffalo) top a list of favorites that also includes Catherine (Proof), Sara Jane Moore (Assassins), and Sister Robert Anne (Nunsense). Andrea is a graduate of Northwestern University and the Studio Acting Conservatory, with four kids and a day job in IT. Big love to the Brookmoor Gang.

Tom Howley

Constant Coquelin

Tom Howley (Constant Coquelin) has appeared in Equivocation and Pride and Prejudice with Silver Spring Stage. Other notable credits are as The Actor in Woman in Black, Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express, and George in Moon Over Buffalo (WATCH Award nomination) at Rockville Little Theatre; William in Twigs and Bone (Helen Hayes nomination) with NuSass Productions; Sam Byck in Assassins (WATCH Award); and Scrooge in Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol at Little Theatre of Alexandria (WATCH Award nomination).

Hanlon Smith-Dorsey

Edward Rostand

Hanlon Smith-Dorsey (Edmond Rostand) is an actor and dancer who most recently appeared in Silent Sky (Perisphere Theater). Other recent credits include Craigslisted (Nu Sass), Marie Antoinette: The Color of Flesh (u/s; Perisphere Theater), The Metromaniacs, and The Birthday Party (St. Mark’s Players). Prior to that he has graced the stage in numerous productions in Philadelphia, New York City, and Chicago. He holds a BA in theater (Bard College) and an MFA in Acting (DePaul University). This is his Silver Spring Stage debut.

Kenneth A. Edwards

Alphonse Mucha

Kenneth A. Edwards (Alphonse Mucha) is excited to be back at Silver Spring Stage. His credits here include A Christmas Carol (Mr. Currier) and Coriolanus (Sicinius Velutus). Training: Studio Acting Conservatory and Theatre Lab in Washington, DC; Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, England. He thanks everyone for coming out and hopes you enjoy the show.

Alan Gonzalez Bisnes

Maurice

Alan Gonzalez Bisnes (Maurice) has appeared at Silver Spring Stage in: Coriolanus (Menenius), A Christmas Carol (Narrator Ned), Company (Paul), Junk (Raul Rivera), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Philostrate/Flute). He starred in One Man, Two Guvnors (Francis Henshall) with The British Players. Alan is also a co-host of the fanfiction “book club” podcast The Fic List. He thanks his chosen family for their unending love and support of his journey.

Bill Hurlbut

Louis

Bill Hurlbut (Louis) appeared here in The Crucible, Other Desert Cities, Orson’s Shadow, and Humble Boy. Other credits: One Love: The Bob Marley Musical (Baltimore Center Stage), Hobson’s Choice (Quotidian Theatre Company), and All My Sons (Peace Mountain Theatre Company). He has multiple WATCH nominations and a win, for Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Rockville Little Theatre). Training: BA theater (Miami University), MA theater (The Ohio State University), HB Studios (NY), and Studio Acting Conservatory.

Rachel Schlaff

Rosamond

Rachel Schlaff (Rosamond) Rachel is delighted to return to Silver Spring Stage, having appeared in A Christmas Carol (2010) as Belle/Laundress. Recent appearances include Queen Arachnid in Robin Hood (The British Players) and Leah Lambert in The Final Rose (ATFM). Rachel holds a BA in theater (performance) from George Washington University and works as a data specialist in the nonprofit arts sector.

Amanda Brenner

Lysette

Amanda Brenner (Lysette) is thrilled to return to Silver Spring Stage after playing rotisserie chicken-toting teen, Susan, in Playboy of the Western World. Amanda most recently played Ruth in Everything is Wonderful at Dominion Stage. Her other credits include Susie in Wit, Pearl in These Shining Lives, Curio in Twelfth Night, Thelma in The Trip to Bountiful, and Louise in The Fox on the Fairway.

Daniel Ken Kato

Francois/Worker

Daniel Ken Kato (François & Worker) has previously performed improv at Theatre on the Run with Laughy Place Improv earlier this year. He thanks his parents and Sara Loudon for introducing him to theater and for early childhood acting opportunities. This is his Silver Spring Stage debut.

Caitlyn Rooms

Raoul

*Caitlyn Rooms (Raoul) is delighted to make her first appearance at Silver Springs Stage, and to return to acting after a seven-year break. Her previous roles include The Devil in L’Histoire du Soldat and Mash in Stupid F*cking Bird at the University of Maine’s School of Performing Arts. This is her Silver Stage debut.

MEET THE DIRECTOR

Creative Team

Stage Manager

Robert Summers-Berger

SET DESIGN

Maggie Modig

LIGHTING

Andrew Harasty

SOUND

Jeff Miller

Intimacy Coordinator

Julia Rabson Harris

Fight Choreographer

Julia Rabson Harris

Costume Designer

Linda Swann

Makeup Designer

Stephenie Yee

Producer

Elizabeth Butterworth

Carpenter

Steve Leshin

Assistant Stage Manager

Mary Ghitelman

Props Designer

Norma Andrews