The Tale begins with the death of Hamlet's father.
© Oak Park Journal photo

Creative lighting by the kids does well in all scenes.
© Oak Park Journal photo

Hamlet Marcus, played by Dan Friedman
© Oak Park Journal photo

Another prized example of imaginative lighting.
© Oak Park Journal photo

© Oak Park Journal photo

Hamlet Marcus (Daniel Friedman) points a hand
gun (in Oak Park) at his Uncle Father, Claude Marcus
played by Monty Cole
© Oak Park Journal photo
 

Review by Ed Vincent

This adaptation is a World Premiere event for  Oak Park and the Village Players Jr. ensemble.  Mr. Peters has done a nice job to make the tale of Hamlet relevant for the younger generation of the Hip Hop genre.  There is  cultural pluralism on stage as noted by both physical and spoken inflections of presence. 

Instead of the power of a King, the power is in record sales and production of the same.  Denmark Records functions as the nobility and the power of this Shakespeare inspired plot.  The MTV reporters 
narrate and inform throughout this tale of Freudian
hell.  "To be or Not to Be." is retold with the desires
and questions of life and its value as seen through
the eyes of the young Hamlet.  Dan Friedman reflects
on his youthful 16 years, his record sales success, and the loss of his much loved father.  Dan Friedman is
the star of the show and the cast is equally supportive
in their fine efforts.  A fun story, and nice performances are accompanied with great sound work and creative lighting. 

Sincerely,
Lee Peters

V.J — Kiki Ariana     Puentes-Hernandez
V.J. — Suzie Kitten   Mann FitzSimrnons
V.J. — Bonnie Brae    Emma Schmidt-Swartz
Claude Marcus            Monty Cole
Gertrude Marcus         Deirdre Almaguer
Hamlet Marcus            Daniel Friedman
Reporter #1               Ariana Puentes-Hemandez
Reporter #2               Mann FitzSimmons
Reporter #3               Emma Schmidt-Swartz
Reporter #4               Gwendoleth Loeano
Heather Connors       Elle Ramel
Jermaine                    Paris Jones
Ophelia Carter          Caning FitzSimrnons
L.T. Carter                 Deontav Neal
V.J. — Monica Merirnac    Gwendoleth Loeano
Vi. — Stacy Summers          Abby Raskin
Butler                                     Paris Jones
Rosa Krantz               Jessie Swartz
Gilda Stem                  Sofie Miller
Friend #1                     Marm FitzSimmons
Friend #2                     Emma Schmidt-Swartz
Britney Spears           Abby Raskin
P. Diddy                      Paris Jones
 

Production Team

Lee Peters (Writer/Director) is a native of New York City. He graduated with a BA in Theatre from Wagner College where he had a concentration
in directing. After college Lee spent several years working with the Staten Island Branch of the Children’s Aid Society where he taught everything from Juggling to tap-dance to kids age 5-13 and he also helped develop their theatre program. Before leaving New York Lee had the opportunity 
to work with urban youth as the Arts in Education coordinator for the Theater for the New City in Manhattan. Since moving to Chicago Lee 
has found work as a lighting designer, stage manager, box office assistant, teacher and a director. Just recently Lee came aboard to help coordinate the Theatre School with Village Players. After his wonderful experience with shows like Guys and Dolls Junior, Hello Broadway and A
Midsummer Nights Circus Lee was overjoyed to come aboard and 
decided to share his passion for the stage with the young adults here who had been a part of those productions and others like them Thus you 
have the beginning of the Junior Ensemble. Here’s to a prosperous future for the Junior Ensemble and the theatre and we hope you enjoy the show.

Lauren Froemming (Asst. Director/Asst. Stage Manager/Program Staff/lHair & Make-Up) is delighted to be part of this marvelous piece. This is only the second occasion where Lauren has worked with a play, 
and has not been on stage, and she is thrilled to have this opportunity to work with such fine young actors as she broadens her vista. Lauren’s
past credits include 9 starring roles in such plays as Annie (Grace), The Odd Couples (Sylvia), Rhymers of Eldridtch (Wilma), and A Midsummer Nights Dream (Puck). She has performed in some 20 productions and competed in North Carolina, and with her assemblage, successfully received prestigious awards. She would like to thank Lee for providing these opportunities for her, the wonderful cast for working so hard, and
her friends and family Special thanks to her mother, father and 
stepmother for always believing in her and supporting her in all that she does. “I Love Y’all!”

Ajex Haney (Stage Manager/Lighting Design) is happy to return to 
Village Players after appearing in the production of Flowers for Algernon. He was also seen in VP’s To kill a Mockingbird, Believe in Christmas, Guys and Dolls, SchoolHouse Rock, Once on this island, and Last Boy 
on Planet Earth. He has enjoyed several workshops at VP including
lmprov I & II. He would like to thank Lee, his family and the cast.

Ben Schmidt —Swartz (Sound Design) is proud to be a member of the Junior Ensemble. This is Ben’s first time on Sound and he is excited to
be a part of The Cmwn. He was last a part of VP’s You ‘ye Gotta Have Heart (Saxophone), and was last seen in VP’s summer camp production 
of A Midsummer Nights Circus (Bottom), and his High School production of Kiss Me Kate.

Dayjd Minnix (Program Point Person) started acting when he was 11 
years old in the Beye School production of Once on this Island. Soon 
after, he became active on the Village Players Theater where he has played the role of Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls, Bottom in A MidSummer Night’s Circus, and Charley Vanderplank in Hello Broadway. He will soon appearing as Willy Wonka in a production of Charley &
the Chocolate Factory. David also recently performed as Sir Robert Morton in the Percy Julian CAST production of The Winslow Boy.

Actors

Dierdre Almaguer (Gertrude/Crew) is delighted to be a part of The Crown. She is making her Village Players debut in this production. As a Junior Company Member of Circle Theater, Dierdre has preformed in musicals including Footloose, Once on this Island, Damn Yankees, and more.

Monty Cole (Claude) is happy to be back at Village Players. You are 
lucky because you get to see Monty being the bad guy character for the first time in his (short) career. You might have seen him in many goody
-too-shoe roles such as Seymour in Little Shop and recently as Ralph in Kiss Me Kate. Enjoy!

Carling FitzSimmons (Ophelia/Set Designer) is thrilled to be in this fabulous production of The Crown. She has appeared most recently as Helena in A Midsummer Nights Dream. She would like to thank her parents for being so supportive, Lee for teaching her to tap dance, and
the cast and crew for making this a truly memorable experience.

Mann Fitzsimmons (Suzie Kitten/Reporter #2/Ophelia’s Friend #1/
Costume Designer/Program Stafl7Crew) is a VP veteran. She has been 
in several previous shows during the summer, scoring one of the lead characters in the latest production of A Midsummer Nights Circus. She would like to thank her family, Lee Peters, and many of her great friends.

Daniel Friedman (Hamlet prefers to he called Dan.  Past credits include Guys and Dolls (Harry the Horse) and A A lidsunimer .Vights Dream (Puck). He would like to thank Carting for helping him with his bio and
Lee for putting up with him time and time again. He hopes you enjoy the show.

Paris Jones (Jermaine/Crew/Coinpany/ButIerIP.Diddy) is so glad that he can he a part of this production. This is Paris’ first appearance on the Village Player’s stage. Break a Leg Everybody!

Gwendoleth Loeano (Monica Merimac/Crew/Company) has only preformed in plays at her previous High School, Steinmetz Academic Centre. This is Gwen’s first time at Village Players Theater. She is 
an HS graduate and now attends Robert Morris College. She recently moved here with her family about a year ago.

Sofie Miller (Hoochie Maimna -Gilda/Crew) is proud to be a part of The Crown. The Crown is Sofie’s fifth show at Village Player’s Theater and it won’t be the last! Her long-term plans are to be a famous actress and writer, but for now, she’d just like to get a bigger unicycle.

Deontay Neal (L.T. Carter/Crew) has found this role to be a more difficult one. Deontay loves singing, dancing, and acting, but his first love is singing. He listens to all kinds of music from R&B, to pop, soul and oldies.

Ariana Puentes-Hernandez (Kiki/Crew/Paladium NightClub Bouncer) is a star athlete as well as a talented performer. This is Ariana’s first time on the Village Players Stage, and she is so glad to be a part of The Crown.

Abby Raskin (Stacy Summers/Crew/CompanyIBritney Spears) is very excited to be a part of The Crown~ She is returning to the Village Players’ stage after perfonning in SchoolHouse Rocks. She would like to thank her family, friends, directors, and cast for all their support.

Elle Ramel (Heather/Crew) loves the theater - especially the pretty lights! This is her first time at VPT, but she has been in several other productions, mainly musicals. Elle loves playing Heather due to the outfits and saying “man” a lot In her spare time, Elle likes to randomly sing, dance, and eat orange chicken.

Emma Schmidt-Swartz (Bonnie Brae/Crew/Company/Program StatDFlyer Designer) is a newcomer to the Village Players theater, only appearing in one other VP production, the summer camps rendition of A Midsummer Nights Dream. She would like to thank her friend Christina Himelick, who introduced her to the Village Players Theater, as well as her parents who supported her.

Jessie Swartz (Hoochie Mamma —Rosa/Crew/Program Staff/Prop Designers/Hair & Make-up) has been in several previous productions including, Annie, Guys and Dolls, and Midsummer Night’s Dream, to 
name a few. I would like to thank my parents for always believing in 
me, my dogs for listening to me repeat my lines repetitively, and Lee
for being my awesome director. That’s all folks!
 

Crown Breadown

MTV Music News Report # 1
MTV Music News Report #2

Scene I — Conference Room

MTV Music News Report #3

Scene 2 Denmarc’s Mansion, Claud’s Room

Scene 3 — Hamlet’s Studio

MTV Music News Report #4

Scene 4 — Hamlet’s Studio

Scene 5 — Night Club

Scene 6 -. Hamlet’s Studio

MTV Music News Report #5

Scene 7 — Denmarc’s Mansion, Claud’s Room

Scene 8 — Hamlet’s Studio

Scene 9 — Denmarc’s Mansion, Claud’s Room

MTV Music News Report #6

Scene 10 — Hotel Room

Scene II — The MTV Music Awards

MTV Music News Report #7

There are way too many people to thank all of them but I wanted to take this opportunity to recognize some people who have been very integral to bringing this play to life.

The entire Ensemble of Village Players Theatre for always being understanding and for inviting me to take on the coordination of the Theater School.

Jack Crowe our board President for always being supportive of my endeavors with the youth. Carrie Hunter for always going the extra mile to help me out.

Suzanne, Susie, Mike and Julie, the Junior Ensemble staff, for always stepping in to be helpful wherever they can.

All the kids I’ve worked with throughout the years for filling me with joy and teaching me a thing or two along the way.

All the original members of the Junior Ensemble for inspiring me with your passion.

All the parents of Junior Ensemble and cast members for getting them to and from rehearsals and meetings and always being understanding.
The Haney’s for all your love and support.

Thanks to all the kids I have not worked with before Gwen. Paris, Deirdre, Deontay, Abby, Arianna, Sofie, and Elle for trusting me. sharing your individual talents and becoming a part of this very challenging project.

Maim for being so diligent about all the costumes (they look great) and helping to create a wonderful character onstage.

Emma, Jessie and Monty for coming back to work with me and bringing all of your amazing energy, talent and commitment to the show

Ben for being one of the best sound designers I’ve ever worked with young or old, and for most times being on exactly the same wavelength as me (I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.)

Alex and Lauren for being my 2 right hands, working extra hard (more than most young adults your age), putting up with my craziness and for all your wonderful input and energy toward the show.

And to Daniel and Carling for having the difficult Job of trying to live up to the images in my mind I have been seeing for six years. I think together we have realized what is best for the play and I am glad that each of your unique personalities and talents are a large part of the wonderful portrayal on stage.

To the Entire cast and crew you are all stars in my mind. Thank you for helping to make my dream come true and know that you will always have a special place in my heart.

The Village Players Theatre Junior Ensemble kicks off its premiere season with The Crown, a hip-hop retelling of Hamlet.  Written and directed by Lee Peters, this fresh and funky adaptation promises to make Shakespeare fun for kids of all ages. 

Lee Peters, the artistic director of the Junior Ensemble, joins the VPT 
from New York where he graduated from Wagner College with a BFA in theatre and concentration in directing.  Lee started his career in theatre education as the Arts in Education Coordinator a New York's Theatre for the New City.

Lee directed last summer's VPT summer camp production of  A Midsummer Night's Circus.  The show was such a hit with parents and 
kids alike that the VPT management asked Lee to step in and take over the theatre school.  One of the most important things to come out of the new management is the development of the Junior Ensemble which is 
part of the theatre school.

The Village Players Theatre Junior Ensemble kicks off its premiere 
season with The Crown, a hip-hop retelling of Hamlet. Written and                directed by Lee Peters, this fresh and funky adaptation is written 
in modern day language that's easy for everyone to understand. 
The Crown uses Today's music industry as the backdrop for this story
of power, love and revenge. 

The Crown is the first production of Village Players Theater's newly established Junior Ensemble. The Junior Ensemble provides a creative
nurturing environment for kids who have an earnest desire to make
theatre an important part of their lives. Audiences can see all that
budding talent on display in The Crown which runs May 29 - 
June 6, 2004 on Saturdays at 3pm and Sundays at 12pm. 

Tickets are $10 for Adults and $5 for seniors and students. 

Don't miss this exciting new original work! 

The Junior Ensemble, says Lee Peters, "Is an open group that provides 
a creative nurturing environment for kids who have an earnest desire to make theatre an important part of their lives."  And audiences can see all that budding talent on display in The Crown which runs May 29- June 6, 2004 on Saturdays at 3pm and Sundays at 12pm.

For More Information cal (708) 524-1892 or visit www.village-players.org

The Village Players Theatre, a non-profit organization founded in 1959, is
a non-equity, professional theatre company that promotes the arts through theatrical productions and educational programs that encourage cultural understanding and embraces the diversity in the Village of Oak Park and the surrounding community. The Village Players Theatre is a member of The League of Chicago Theatres.

http://www.village-players.org/jr/crown.html