‘Hamlet’ tops impressive slate

TOM TITUS

Editor’s note: This is the second of two columns reviewing live

theater in Huntington Beach during 2004.

Golden West College’s theater program enjoyed a year packed with

exceptional accomplishments during 2004, from an enthusiastic

production of Shakespeare’s masterpiece to a hilarious comedy

featuring a comely young actress portraying a dog.

It should come as no great surprise that “Hamlet” ranks at the top

of the four-show list at Golden West College for the year. Director

Tom Amen -- who staged all of the college’s shows this year --

assembled an outstanding cast for this classic tragedy.

As this column’s review noted, Amen “has focused, quite rightly,

on the central theme of revenge, excising some of the fringe elements

which not only do not enhance the plot but often tend to restrain it.

And he is bolstered mightily by a strong and eloquent cast, abetted

wonder- fully by a coterie of superb techni- cians in the fields of

sight, sound and action.”

Close behind, however, was the college’s production of “Grapes of

Wrath,” the stage rendition of John Steinbeck’s aching novel of the

plight of migrant workers in the 1930s. “‘The Grapes of Wrath’

remains a very resonant, provocative and hauntingly beautiful story

-- a story that still has the enduring power to make people believe,”

Amen opined, then underscored his view with a compelling production.

“Sylvia,” A.R. Gurney’s flight of fancy featuring an actress

impersonating a cuddly dog, was a breath of fresh comic air in the

Golden West College season and ranks third, just ahead of the last

show, a dramatization of the novel “Pride and Prejudice.”

As for top acting honors, two performers stood out with high

honors in 2004 -- Mark Bedard for the title role in “Hamlet” and

Christa Mathis for three accomplishments -- Ophelia in “Hamlet,” Rose

of Sharon in “Grapes” and the title role of man’s best friend in

“Sylvia.”

Another triple threat actress was Renata Florin, who excelled in

“Hamlet,” “Grapes of Wrath” and “Pride and Prejudice.”

Other sterling performances at GWC were delivered by Matt Santoro

in “Hamlet,” Joshua Matheson and Blake Coomb in both “Grapes of

Wrath” and “Hamlet” and Michael Bielitz and Cleta Cohen in “Sylvia.”

Bedard also earned high marks for his role in “Pride and Prejudice.”

What’s next for Golden West? Well, Amen has announced auditions at

7 p.m. Jan. 10 and 11 for Christopher Hampton’s period drama “Le

Liaisons Dangereuses.”

A cast of six women and four men is required for the costumed

characters in the play that inspired the movie “Dangerous Liaisons.”

The show will open March 4 for a three-weekend engagement at

Golden West College’s Mainstage Theater.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Huntington Beach

Independent.