Photo Caption: L to R: Jessica Lyn Berman as Deirdre, Josh Brown as Andy, Megan Karas as Felicia and Leslie Hamblin as Lillian, trying to summon the ghost of John Barrymore.
DOVER – Maybe the name Shakespeare conjures up dusty memories of hours spent bored to tears in high school English classes. Or perhaps you were one of those for whom the cavorting of bawdy Elizabethans was the high point of your week. Either way, you are sure to get a kick out of playwright Paul Rudnick’s explosively funny comedy “I Hate Hamlet,” the season closer at the Garrison Players Arts Center, Route 4 in Rollinsford, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 1- 3, 8 - 10.
Andrew Rally (Josh Brown) is the up-and-coming young star of a recently canceled television series, who has just arrived with his real estate agent, Felicia Dantine (Megan Davenport Karas) at what is to be his new apartment in New York City. Rally, a native of Los Angeles, is more than a little put off by the brooding Gothic trappings of the apartment. The fact that it once belonged to the legendary actor, John Barrymore, does nothing to dissipate Rally's reservations. He is doubly disturbed, as he is soon to perform the difficult part of Hamlet, the role made famous by Barrymore, and he is to do it onstage at Shakespeare in the Park, away from the glitter of Hollywood. As his LA friend Gary (Seth Mazzaglia) calls it, “theatre for squirrels!”
Andrew and Felicia are soon joined by his agent, Lillian Troy, (Leslie Hamblin), and his girlfriend, the 29 year old perennial virgin, Deirdre McDavey (Jessica Berman). Troy, many years ago, had a brief fling with Barrymore in this very apartment. Excited, Felicia claims she is able to communicate with departed spirits through her mother and suggests they try to summon up Barrymore to verify Lillian's claim. Encouraged by Deirdre, Felicia begins the séance…
Under the guidance of British Director Tim Robinson, the laughs promise to be nonstop as Andrew wrestles with his conscience, Barrymore, his sword, and the fact that his fiancée won’t have sex until he has played Hamlet!
Written in 1991, “I Hate Hamlet” premiered on Broadway with huge success. It was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor, a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress, and won two Theatre World Awards. Its playwright, Paul Rudnick, was also nominated for a Drama Desk Award in 1993 for Outstanding New Play.
Tickets, at $18 for adults and $12 for students, are available online at www.garrisonplayers.org, or by calling 603-750-4ART. Show times are 8pm for evening performances, and 3pm for Sunday matinees.
Garrison Players is a nonprofit, volunteer-based community theatre group dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the area by presenting high-quality theatrical performances geared for family audiences. Established in 1953, the players encourage people of all ages to enjoy and participate in the many facets of the performing arts; and to help maintain the Garrison Players Arts Center. For more information about auditions, shows, or the Garrison Players, visit the website at www.garrisonplayers.org.
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