Steve Kidd plays the title role in Don Carlos. Gamm Theatre Artistic Director Tony Estrella rewrote Friedrich Schiller’s 18th-century epic, about an idealistic prince who challenges his tyrannical father.

The Providence Journal / Kris Craig

Tonight, Pawtucket’s Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre opens its season with an old play with a new twist. Artistic director Tony Estrella has taken German playwright-philosopher Friedrich Schiller’s 18th-century epic, Don Carlos, and completely rewritten it, trimming almost four hours, from six to two. And he has written the entire play in blank verse, like the original.

He’s been working in his own pared-down version since the beginning of the year.

Don Carlos tells the story of an idealistic prince who challenges the authority of his tyrannical father, King Philip II of Spain. At its heart, it’s a political thriller with a love triangle thrown in.

When Schiller wrote Don Carlos he was trying to emulate Shakespeare. Estrella, who is directing the show, has tried to keep that style in his adaptation. Seeing this rarely performed play for the first time, which will be the case for just about everyone in the audience, is kind of like discovering a Shakespeare classic in a closet, he said.

Don Carlos opens tonight at 8 in previews and runs through Oct. 5. Tickets for preview performances, which run through Monday, are $24. All other shows are $24 to $39. Call (401) 723-4266.

— CHANNING GRAY