To Be or Not To Be: A Bold New Production of Hamlet Premieres on September 5

Next month, Yorick Ensemble invites audiences into the shadowy halls of Elsinore Castle for a riveting new production of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Opening September 5, 2025, and running through September 13, this bold staging promises to breathe fresh life into the Bard’s most iconic play—unearthing the raw emotion, psychological depth, and political intrigue at its core.

Directed by Colton Chaney, this production peels back the layers of the Danish prince’s grief and fury in a world teetering on the edge of collapse. Set in a stark, minimalist landscape shaped by betrayal and moral decay, the play’s themes of madness, revenge, and existential despair resonate with renewed urgency in today’s uncertain times.

At the heart of the production is Needham resident, Michael Jay as Prince Hamlet. Supported by a dynamic cast including Nico Miller as Ophelia, Alex Deroo as Claudius, and Laura Lee Bahr as Gertrude, the ensemble brings a contemporary intensity to Shakespeare’s language while remaining rooted in the original text.

Director Colton Chaney shares:

“Hamlet is about what happens when the world you thought you knew turns upside down. It’s about the paralysis of conscience, the hunger for justice, and the terrible price of truth. We’re not interested in staging a museum piece—we’re aiming for something alive, unsettling, and deeply human.”

The production features Yorick Ensemble’s Artistic Director, Josh Telepman’s costumes that blur time periods, reflecting the play’s timeless relevance.

Whether you’re a lifelong Shakespeare fan or experiencing Hamlet for the first time, this production promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of one of literature’s most enduring tragedies.

Admission is free. Show times and dates can be found at www.yorickensemble.com. Don’t miss this gripping interpretation of Hamlet—where every word cuts deep, and every silence speaks volumes.