BWW Preview: WOMEN PLAYING HAMLET Opens at the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City

A world premiere comedy with an all-woman cast, Women Playing Hamlet, opens March 4 on the Jerome Stage at the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. March 4, 5 and 6 are preview nights with opening night on Saturday March 7. The production is the second Rolling World Premiere for the National New Play Network for Women Playing Hamlet's author William Missouri Downs.

Producing Artistic Director Cynthia Levin directs the Unicorn Theatre production. Jessica is cast in the role of Hamlet, having auditioned for the role of Ophelia, and is freaking out over portraying the greatest role ever written. Sarah Bernhardt and Dame Judith Anderson have played the role of the melancholic prince, but she is in shock over the outcome of her audition. With the help of self-important humanities professors, Shakespeare scholars, and barflies, she sets out to find herself in the role.

The four-woman cast takes on 19 roles, including the male roles, in Women Playing Hamlet. This is a switch from the days of Shakespeare when men played the women's roles. The play incorporates unique staging devices and Shakespeare's own staging technique, verbal scene painting, to set the locations.

Katie Karel returns to the Unicorn, in the only singular role in Women Playing Hamlet, as Jessica. She has previously appeared at the Unicorn in By the Way; Meet Vera Stark, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, and Bare. She has performed with Egads Theatre Company, Musical Theater Heritage, and the Kansas City Repertory Theatre among others.

Cathy Barnett returns to the Unicorn in multiple roles as Gwen, Humanities Professor, and Ghost. She last appeared at the Unicorn in Hands on a Hard Body. Other Kansas City appearances include Musical Theater Heritage, and the New Theatre. She is featured in the locally produced chiller, The House on Pine Street.

Meredith Wolfe was born in a Milwaukee brewery, raised in a Las Vegas casino, and has found a home in Kansas City. She returns to the Unicorn in the roles of Betty, Father Jorgensen, Messenger, Emily Ostergaard, Barfly, HSN Model, and Rosy. She has appeared with The Living Room, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, and the Coterie among others.

Kathleen Warfel, a familiar face at the Unicorn, returns in the multiple roles of Lord Derby, Jessica's Mother, Dr. Feltenberg, Bartender, HSN Hostess, Gilda, and Gravedigger. She has been seen at the Unicorn in Good People, Rabbit Hole, and Speech and Debate among others. She has appeared with Kansas City theatrical companies KC Repertory, Kansas City Actors Theatre, and the New Theatre among others.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday performances for Women Playing Hamlet begin at 7:30 p.m., with Friday and Saturday starting at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Monday 16 night performances are Pay What U Can. There is no show March 17 due to St. Patrick's Day. Discounts are available for seniors (65+), students, and patrons under the age of 30. Women Playing Hamlet continues at the Unicorn through March 29. Purchase tickets by calling the box office at 816-531-7529 ext. 10 or visit the Unicorn Theatre website. Photo courtesy of the Unicorn Theatre.