O.C. Theatre Review : UCI ‘Hamlet’: Inventive and Intuitive : Charles Huston fits the role perfectly, and Stephen M. Burdman’s superior direction brings fresh insights to the classic work.

UC Irvine has brought together the right director and the right actor for “Hamlet,” the most difficult of the Bard’s tragedies.

*

The production is director Stephen M. Burdman’s thesis project for his master’s degree, and a piece of work of which he justly can be proud. His staging is imaginative and highly focused. Flights of invention are visually stunning on Julie Allardice’s simple but totally effective setting of platforms, stairs and a cleverly used broad apron. And Jason Kai Cooper’s painterly lighting is like another dramatic character in Burdman’s impeccable vision.

Financial restraints have dictated designer Felicia Pam Libbin’s contemporary clothes, usually overlaid with period tops; their sturdy Nordic look is achieved by just the right juxtaposition of both. Every technical effect bolsters Burdman’s concept.

He has approached the Danish tragedy as a socio-political lesson for all times, and it is probably his fresh insights and his brash courage, along with his sure sense of dramatic form, that make it work so well. In a recent interview, Burdman said he sees Hamlet as a 19- or 20-year-old, and he is blessed with a young, intuitive actor, Charles Huston, who could not be more right for the role, nor more able to delve into its intricacies, its bright lights and dark shadows.

Huston’s Prince of Denmark has a vision of what the throne of his country should be, and it doesn’t include a murderous uncle and faithless mother. The actor also gives Hamlet a vitalizing sense of humor and a down-to-earth understanding of the frailty of fate.

He looks and feels as right in period jerkin over black jeans as he does later with suspenders slapping against his hips. The sea changes of his multihued characterization are accomplished with ease, and he makes magic of those stunning moments when the ghost of Hamlet’s father speaks not to him, but through him, as he spins like a maelstrom in his sea of troubles.

It is a formidable performance, meshing imperceptibly with Burdman’s insights.

*

If David Francis’ Claudius is not as rich as it could be, he has a solidity that works well. In any case, Anne James Dreiling’s Queen Gertrude has enough depth and detail for them both, with delicacy and constraint, and often a sense of humor that shows where this Hamlet got his.

Todd Denning’s feisty Laertes, Harmony Goodman’s statuesque but easily broken Ophelia, David Nevell’s absent-minded-professor of a Polonius and Tom Humphreys’ steady, stalwart Horatio all are well-hued threads in Burdman’s vast tapestry. In a very effective conceit, Burdman brings all of those deceased back to the shadows at the rear of the stage to gaze unemotionally at the fallout from their deaths.

There’s also a delightfully eccentric Gravedigger (John W. Gloria) and a very funny Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (Stephen Simon, Colby French) who are pure Tom Stoppard until they have to get serious.

“Hamlet” is a role every serious young actor must play, and every serious director must attempt to fathom, if they want to grow. Burdman wisely has chosen a fairly complex and complete script (though the entire “Hamlet” is almost two hours longer) which gives both him and Huston the breadth and depth in which they can shine. And they do.

* “Hamlet,” Fine Arts Concert Hall, UC Irvine, Irvine. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Closes Saturday. $6-$14. (714) 856-6616. Running time: 3 hours, 20 minutes. Charles Huston: Hamlet

Anne James Dreiling: Gertrude

David Francis: Claudius

David Nevell: Polonius

Tom Humphreys: Horatio

Todd Denning: Laertes

Harmony Goodman: Ophelia

Stephen Simon: Rosencrantz

Colby French: Guildenstern

John W. Gloria: Gravedigger

A UC Irvine Fine Arts Department production of Shakespeare’s tragedy, directed by Stephen M. Burdman. Scenic design: Julie Allardice. Costume design: Felicia Pam Libbin. Lighting design: Jason Kai Cooper. Voice and text coach: Joan Melton. Stage combat: Christopher Villa. Makeup/hair design: Joyce Littrell. Production stage manager: Jennifer Magill.