Lilac City Dinner Theater: Women Playing Hamlet Theater as an art form has a long history of pressing the boundaries of gender. When Willy Shakes started penning his now-famous works and putting on performances in the 16th and 17th centuries, men were cast to play every character. This play, written by William Missouri Downs and directed locally by Rebecca Craven, flips the script on those outdated ideals by casting local female actors in every single role. In Women Playing Hamlet, protagonist Jessica is cast as the titular character in Hamlet and is subsequently sent into an existential tailspin. She must figure out how to be (or not to be) her best self while pursuing her dream. As a fitting choice for this mealtime show from brand-new theater nonprofit Lilac City Dinner Theater, Charley’s Catering serves a delicious pork tenderloin meal.