ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD • St. Louis Shakespeare Festival

What to do when you’re a pair of minor characters in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, waiting in the wings with no idea why you’re there? In Tom Stoppard’s exceptional Tony Award-winner (1966), Hamlet is seen from the lowly perspective of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two unexceptional courtiers situated along the fringes of the play, now placed front and center in the midst of a plot they don’t understand and adrift in an inevitable progression of events they can’t control. In association with Albion Theatre, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival kicks off its 2026 season with a striking production of Stoppard’s play that plumbs existential depths with an insight that is, remarkably, as comedic as it is profound.

The fate of our hapless duo is spoiled in the title, but the slow realization of their ultimate end is the thing, as snippets of Hamlet play out sporadically in the background. Ros and Guil’s confusion runs so deep that they’re not even sure of their own names, and a game of coin flipping that comes up “heads” repeatedly sets the tone for the play’s absurdist suspension of natural laws.

Guildenstern (Ryan Omar Stack) and

Rosencrantz (Mitchell Henry-Eagles).

Photo credit: Phillip Hamer Photography

Rosencrantz (Mitchell Henry-Eagles) and Guildenstern (Ryan Omar Stack) approach their upended reality with an appealing contrast. An angst-ridden Guildenstern tries to reason it out with passionate, philosophical ramblings, while Rosencrantz goes with the flow of their inescapable loop in a cloud of naive, charming bewilderment. The one person who seems to have a clue is the Player (Jeff Cummings), the leader of a traveling troupe of actors called the Tragedians. He hints at the greater truths behind unfolding events, but the implications of these truths are completely lost on our stooges of Elsinore.

Guildenstern (Ryan Omar Stack), Player (Jeff Cummings)

and Rosencrantz (Mitchell Henry-Eagles).

Photo credit: Phillip Hamer Photography

One thing that is crystal clear is Tom Stoppard’s linguistic prowess, and Henry-Eagles, Stack and Cummings play the rhythms of his dialogue beautifully. These three are just so good. St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s artistic director, Tom Ridgely, skillfully helms the production, keeping the weighty subject matter buoyant and accessible with thoughtful stage direction and a cadence that doesn’t miss a beat. Other members of the cast also handle the material quite well, with Tiélere Cheatem in a variety of roles and Sean C. Seifert’s Hamlet being standouts. Amanda Werre’s sound design is additionally notable with transitional music that is joyously spot on.

This production was sold out before it began. Due to popular demand, the run has been extended with a waiting list set up for tickets. I would try to nab one if I were you. It’s playing at the Kranzberg until April 12.

(Front l to r) Rosencrantz (Mitchell Henry-Eagles),
Claudius (Eric Nenninger) and Gertrude (Joy Christina Turner).
(Back l to r) Attendant 3 (Ian Miller), Attendant 2 (Mason Ramsey)
and Attendant 1 (Bryn McLaughlin).
Photo credit: Phillip Hamer Photography

ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD

Written by Tom Stoppard

Directed by Tom Ridgely

Kranzberg Black Box Theater, 501 North Grand Blvd.

through April 12 | tickets: Discounted ticket types will require valid ID at the door. Standard General Admission: $55, Seniors (65+), Active Duty Military, & Educators: $45, Students: $20

Performances Saturdays at 2pm & 7pm, Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm, Sunday, April 12 at 2pm.

Polonius (Lynn Berg) and Hamlet (Sean C. Seifert).
Photo credit: Phillip Hamer Photography

Cast

Polonius/Ambassador: Lynn Berg

Ophelia: Danielle Bryden

Player King/Soldier/English King/Horatio: Tiélere Cheatem

Player/Lucianus: Jeff Cummings*

Alfred/Player Queen: India Eddy

Rosencrantz: Mitchell Henry-Eagles*

Spy/Laertes/Attendant 1: Bryn McLaughlin

Spy/Ambassador/Attendant 3: Ian Miller

Claudius: Eric Nenninger*

Poisoner/Fortinbras/Attendant 2: Mason Ramsey

Hamlet: Sean C. Seifert

Guildenstern: Ryan Omar Stack*

Gertrude: Joy Christina Turner

Rosencrantz (Mitchell Henry-Eagles)
and Guildenstern (Ryan Omar Stack).
Photo credit: Phillip Hamer Photography

Crew

Scenic/Lighting/ Props Design: Katherine Stepanek

Costume Design: Olivia Radle

Sound Design: Amanda Werre

Fight Coordinator: Bart Williams

Intimacy Coordinator: Nikki Green

Scenic Design Assistant: Claudia Emig

Stage Manager: Kathryn Ballard*

Assistant Stage Manager: Lexi Sims

Co-Producer: Robert Ashton

Co-Producer: Colin O’Brien

Production Company: Blank Slate

* Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States