'Hamlet' for the Starbucks crowd

To walk through the World Financial Center is to witness the pinnacle of wealth and consumerism in America. It's a glorified shopping mall, full of winding marble staircases and a number of designer clothing stores. The New York Classical Theatre's new production of "Hamlet" starts, technically, when the audience meets outside the Starbucks on the lower floor. Soon they are taken to the top floor and told to sit on the ground.

Suddenly, Hamlet (played by NYU alumnus Justin Blanchard) appears from behind a column, dressed in the finest dark clothing and reciting the one and only "To be or not to be" soliloquy. As he finishes, Horatio (John-Patrick Driscoll) and two guards appear from behind the audience, cutting through spectators to reach the front. As the first scene of the play (in which the Ghost is spotted) finishes, the audience is directed to rise and physically follow the actors to a different location of the building where a new scene will take place.

In this production, directed by Stephen Burdman, there are no actual sets. Scenes employ locations throughout the WFC, with scenes in the king's court held at a marble platform in the middle of the building and the scene of Polonius' death occurring behind a black column. The WFC itself is not far from palace-like, and combined with the beautifully detailed and lavish costumes, the appearance of the show is not at all lacking.

What is most interesting, though, is seeing what is widely considered to be the best piece of dramatic literature of all time performed in such a modern location and in such a contemporary way. There is something surreal about seeing Hamlet debate over suicide while random shoppers point and react to him.

At times, the production gets a bit distracting, as non-audience members can walk behind the actors in confusion and the "seats" leave no guarantee that the actors will be in sight every time. This is a style that takes some time to adjust to, but once the story is set in motion, it becomes harder and harder to snap out of it, especially given the actors' stellar performances.

The scene of Ophelia's (Ginny Myers Lee) madness is one that particularly stands out, as her passionate screams seem to bounce and echo off the expansive marble walls. In another compelling touch, rather than having an actor play his father's ghost, Hamlet instead widens his eyes, rolls his neck — signifying that he has been possessed — and recites the lines himself. It certainly helps convey his madness.

This must-see performance shows that despite how diverse people are, despite the differences in wealth, upbringing and values, there are still things that remain untouched by time. In a world with Starbucks available on every street corner, "Hamlet" can persist, uninterrupted.

"Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" plays at the World Financial Center (220 Vesey St.) through April 18. The show is free, with a suggested donation of $10.