DAVID CARVER’S ON A MISSION FROM SHAKESPEARE WRITTEN BY ANTHONY EWART
W
hen discussing Hamlet with a friend recently we found ourselves swept up in the emotions of the characters. The most tragic being Ophelia. I don’t need to watch a “special feature” on the making of Natalie Merchant’s fantastic 1998 album “Ophelia” to know she was inspired by the greatest Ophelia in history. Our sweet sister Ophelia who was unfortunately toyed with by Hamlet like a cat playing with a mouse until she took her own life.
speare’s brain. That is the source, in case you were wondering what book you can find the source in. Saxo Grammaticus’ dramatic name notwithstanding, there is no book of absolute source material for Hamlet. There is only Shakespeare.
So, let’s circle back. The power of the fictional characters in Hamlet to emotionally move us is so strong it is considered Shakespeare’s greatest play on many levels. Artistically, emotionally -- spiritually. And his longest. This isn’t like the paperback There have been many sources peo- “Romeo and Juliet” you tucked in ple believe Shakespeare borrowed your back pocket in high school so from to create his Masterpiece. But you could memorize the lines. Or that would be like saying Wolfgang was that just me? Puck should thank the manufacturers of each of the ingredients he uses But other than Shakespeare what is for his dishes. Maybe a shout-out the most emotionally charged piece to “Foster Farms.” The “Life of Am- of art we have as a culture today? leth” written in the 13th century by Haters you can email me later, but Saxo Grammaticus contain legends I’m going with “The Rock Power that scholars believe Shakespeare Ballad.” All the emotional catharsis may have had access to and that in- you need in a song under 4 minspired him to create the sad Prince ute -- unless you count Meat Loaf ’s of Denmark. Please let’s be clear: 1993 classic power ballad “I’d Do the emotions that Shakespeare elic- Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do its in Hamlet are generated purely That),” which melts your heart slowfrom the right hemisphere of Shake- ly, like a crock-pot, in 12 minutes. • HOLLYWOODMONTHLY WEEKLY 2626• HOLLYWOOD
Journey’s rock power ballad “Open Arms” clocks in at 3:18, but remember what Einstein said about time and relativity. When you’re thinking about someone you love and listening to Steve Perry sing Open Arms you can reflect your entire relationship in the span of three minutes. Legendary Concert Producer David Carver, of David Carver Films and David Carver Music has taken Hamlet as source material for his “Hamlet The Rock Musical,” opening Valentine’s Day at the gorgeous El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. This is “The Date Event” of 2020. Hamlet and Rock Music. Madness you say? What does Shakespeare have to say to that? “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t” from “Hamlet,” written by William Shakespeare
HamletTheRockMusical.com
