Lauren Gunderson’s brilliant re-imagining of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” shifts the spotlight from the brooding prince to the women who orbit his world. In A Room in the Castle, Gunderson accomplishes in 85 minutes what Shakespeare took four hours to convey, creating an intimate portrait focused on Ophelia, her handmaid, Anna, and Queen Gertrude. Kaja Dunn’s elegant directing delivers a thought-provoking production. Gunderson was commissioned to write the play by the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company where it opened before it’s World Premiere on March 9, 2025 at the Folger Theater.

With only illusions to the narcissistic, gaslighting Hamlet of the original text, he is never seen. Not even the skull. Instead, we witness the story through the female perspective, exploring Ophelia as a motherless young woman navigating complex relationships and expectations. The production examines her circumstances: torn between her perceived love for Hamlet, her father and brother’s disapproval of him, Anna’s protective caution, and Queen Gertrude’s insistence on their marriage. Perhaps, it is “ . . .not to be.”

The all-female cast of three, delivers superb performances. Ophelia ( Sabrina Lynne Sawyer) emerges as a fully realized character – sometimes ambivalent, occasionally petulant, but ultimately autonomous. She is transformed from Shakespeare’s tragic figure into someone relatable in the 21^st Century. Gertrude (Oneika Philips) commands the stage with regal confidence and impeccable dresses. Anna (Burgess Byrd) brings love and devotion to her role, having lost her own son and finding in Ophelia someone to mother and protect. Costume designer, Nicole Jescinth Smith’s costumes were visually stunning and spoke volumes about status and intent.

As we entered the Theater, I asked my guest and daughter, Tiffany, about her expectations of the play and to tell me her take on the original characters. Her immediate reply was that, “Hamlet was a madman, gaslighting Ophelia to her demise.”  I shared that I found, “Both whiny and that she was needy and ‘a few cards short of a full deck.” Tiffany expected see a play about strength and perseverance over narcissistic dysfunction.  I hoped that she was right and that after 425 years of waiting, Ophelia would find her voice.

The audience was greeted by the newly appointed director of the Folger Shakespeare Library, Dr. Farah Karim-Cooper, “I spent the last Twenty years of my life at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London. Over there, I was the resident scholar and director of education and research and it’s also where visceral performance informed all of my work, so I know something about theater.  This is why I can say that I’m so inspired by the compelling and inclusive vision that’s emerging from the culture of this theater and our artistic leader Karen Ann Daniels.”  

The intimate theater space enhances the experience, with its warm wood paneling, carved columns, and half-timbered walls – reminiscent of an Elizabethan setting. The set strikes an interesting juxtaposition between the now and then. When does this play take place? That really doesn’t matter.

What makes this production special is that it honors Shakespeare’s world while boldly asking, “why not?” As Gunderson herself stated, “The play dances and duels with Shakespeare’s Hamlet, foregrounding the women in the play and re-imagining them with agency, vitality, and radical hearts eager for a new ending,… ripping a hole in the fabric of their suffocating story… because this play is anything but hopeless and tragic.”

There were frequent laughs and knowing sighs of recognition from the audience. While I won’t reveal the ending, I can say that it offers a satisfying conclusion to Ophelia’s journey. “A Room in the Castle” proves that sometimes the most interesting stories are found not with the titular character, but in the castle’s side chambers where the women speak their truths. “Obey, Agree, Assist?” How about “Rebel, Reject, Resist.”

Perhaps the most enduring power of Shakespeare lies not in the answers his works provide but in how each generation finds its own questions within them. Through my daughter’s unflinching modern lens, I watched not another classic Hamlet, but a study in how Ophelia finally gets the chance to exist beyond being defined by the men around her.

^{A Room in the Castle Dress Rehearsal 93: Sabrina Lynne Sawyer, Oneika Phillips, and Burgess Byrd in Folger Theatre’s world premiere of A Room in the Castle, written by Lauren M. Gunderson, directed by Kaja Dunn, co-produced with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, on stage at the Folger Shakespeare Library, March4-April 6, 2025. Photo by Erika Nizborski}

The cast, production team, and Folger staff greeted guests in the Great Hall for an elegant and enjoyable reception. Keeping with the woman theme, DJ, Miss H.E.R., provided invigorating music at the perfect volume for conversation. The reception gave us an opportunity to express our gratitude for the many levels of remarkable talent and work and to share snippets of insight and surprises.  Meeting Dr. Karim-Cooper and Lauren Gunderson was an unexpected pleasure. Their generosity of spirit and depth of intellect and dedication to the Folger was inspiring.

The depth of intellect, knowledge, and commitment to both the production and the Folger Library Theater could have been overwhelming had not everyone been incredibly hospitable, responsive, and gracious.

_{Playwright Lauren Gunderson shares her creative process PC: Henkel}

Meeting the cast, Sabrina Lynne Sawyer – Ophelia, and Oneika Philips – Gertrude gave additional focus to the characters. Sabrina is entirely invested in Ophelia. She wanted Ophelia to be liked and appreciated. When I shared my original opinion and how her representation changed my mind, she gave me a genuine hug and thanked me for being flexible and seeing the other side. Oneika, dressed in another stunning gown, this time in scarlet, carried herself as the regal queen that she portrayed. She was born to be the Queen. She complimented costumer, Nicole Jescinth Smith’s vision and impeccable attention to detail. Burgess Byrd and I managed to always be on opposite sides of the Hall – my compliments to her for bringing palpable warmth and love through her talent.

_{Top: Kaja Dunn, Lauren Gunderson, Nicole Jescinth Smith, Oneika Philips, Burgess Byrd Right: Lauren and Nicole Bottom Left: DJ MissH.E.R. Bottom Center: the Great Halls Bottom Right: Sabrina Lynn Sawyer and Tiffany Henkel PC: Henkel}

This delightful production plays until April 6 at the beautiful Folger Theater in Washington, DC. Tickets are limited. Don’t miss this chance to watch this modern production and see Ophelia in a new light. Click here for tickets

^{Colleen Kennedy, Right, with Krasi Henkel PC: Henkel}