Cheer Up, Hamlet! follows literature's most melancholy prince on a quest for happiness. (PHOTO COURTESY OF KORDA ARTISTIC PRODUCTIONS)
By John-Paul Bonadonna
When University of Windsor alumna Gemma Cunial returns to Windsor this summer, she'll be stepping back onto the stage for the first time in seven years — and helping bring a uniquely Windsor theatrical collaboration to life.
Cunial (BA Honours ‘19, MFA ‘21), who now works in Toronto's film and media industry, is serving as producer and performer for Cheer Up, Hamlet!, an outdoor parody musical presented by A Palpable Hit Productions in partnership with Korda Artistic Productions and the Fogolar Furlan Club.
The production runs July 3 to 11 and transforms the Fogolar's picturesque gazebo grounds into a playful outdoor "Shakespeare-ish in the Park" experience.
For Cunial, the project is also a celebration of the creative community that helped launch her career.
"I still love Windsor and I still love contributing to it," she says.
"What keeps me coming back is Windsor's arts community. Being an artist is about putting yourself out there, taking risks and bringing people together to laugh, cry, or whatever emotion you're creating."
Inspired by the works of William Shakespeare and packed with familiar songs, parodies and comic twists, Cheer Up, Hamlet! follows literature's most melancholy prince on a quest for happiness. Along the way, Hamlet encounters characters from across Shakespeare's canon, including Romeo and Juliet, Lady Macbeth, Petruchio, Kate, Bianca and Ophelia.
The production is a remount of a Korda original first staged in 2007. Written by Korda founder and UWindsor alumna Tracey Atin, the show has become a favourite among local theatre artists and audiences alike.
"We wanted to do something fun, goofy and lighthearted," says Cunial.
"Something outdoors that embraces the simplicity of theatre."
The cast and creative team feature numerous University of Windsor connections.
Cunial is joined by fellow alumni Hope Forman, Tracey Atin, David Sivak and director Jeff Maronate.
The production is supported by the City of Windsor's Arts, Culture and Heritage Fund and highlights the role local arts organizations play in creating opportunities for emerging performers, technicians and creators.
For Cunial, returning to the stage and collaborating once again with fellow alumni is both professionally rewarding and personally meaningful.
"Windsor helped develop me as an artist," she says.
"It's always special to come back and create here."
Cheer Up, Hamlet! runs July 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. and July 5 at 2 p.m. at the Fogolar Furlan Club. Tickets are available through Showpass, with dinner-and-show options available through the Fogolar Furlan Club.