Janet Zarish as Gertrude and Jeffrey Carlson as Hamlet in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of Hamlet, directed by Michael Kahn. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Shakespeare Theatre artistic director Michael Kahn is known for his creative rethinking of classical drama. When it works, it is spectacular. He set Timon of Athens in a cut-throat corporate office and moved the Merry Wives of Windsor into the suburbs in the Fifties. Last season’s Love’s Labour’s Lost was hippie heaven.

Hamlet has had more than its share of interpretations. We’ve seen brooding Hamlets, brutal Hamlets, indecisive Hamlets, and crazy Hamlets. But Hamlet as a tantrum-throwing, hyper-active teenager? Gertrude as a pill-popping trophy wife? To quote the Bard: “Something’s rotten in the state of Denmark.”

This a wonderful production with magnificent sets and fine performances by many of the minor players. Rosencrantz (David L. Townsend) and Guildenstern (Clint Allen) have some delightful stage business as Hamlet’s fickle friends. Ted Van Griethusyen makes the most of his scene as the cynical gravedigger. The play itself is a marvel. 

But how can you love Hamlet when you hate Hamlet? That is the question. I do not blame Jeffrey Carlson, the beautiful blond boy who throws himself around the stage. How he must hurt at the end of the night! To play Hamlet as a Danish Paris Hilton was Kahn’s decision. Even a master makes mistakes.