I Hate Hamlet is a dramatic comedy written in 1991 by Paul Rudnick. Set in John Barrymore’s old apartment in New York City – at the time, the author’s real-life home – the play follows successful television actor Andrew Rally as he struggles with taking on the dream role of Hamlet, dealing with a girlfriend who is keeping a firm grip on her chastity, and playing host to the ghost of John Barrymore, who, clothed as Hamlet, has come back to earth for the sole purpose of convincing Rally to play the part. Barrymore proves to be very convincing (challenging Andrew to a sword fight in the middle of the New York loft), and Andrew decides to play Hamlet. But when a Hollywood friend shows up offering Andrew a new role in a television pilot, with a potentially large salary and fame, Andrew is forced to choose between Shakespeare, whom his girlfriend loves, or television, where he is loved by millions.

PERFORMANCE DATES: February 5-28, 2004

CAST: Felicia Dantine – Wendolyn Nelson, Andrew Rally – Mark Vierthaler, Deirdre McDavey – RTachel Vale, Lillian Troy – Joanne Welchel, John Barrymore – Jim Johnson, Gary Peter Lefkowitz – Kyle Hager

CREW: Director – Christopher Pyle, Assistant Director/Light Design – Seth Eckleman, Stage Manager/Light Board Operator/Sound Board Operator/Set Design – Sherry Polkinghorn, Costume Design – Dee Miller, Sound Design – Alan Stukenholtz, Set Design – Sarah Simpson, Jim Gilman, MJ Straight, Claudia Pyle, Mark Bierthaler, Wendolyn Nelson, Screen Master – Carolyn Johnson, Flower Wrangler – Linda Eckelman, Properties Master – Warren Eckelman

MENU: Florentine cup, Sardi’s lemon chicken emerald peas and pearl onions, wild and tame rice, Vienna rolls, central park parfait.  Catering provided by Linda Bethke, Andrea Bethke, Pete Bethke, Barb ALbrecht, Milly White, Teresa Hogan, Jacob Busch, Jenna Busch, Carol Kline, Denis Ann Bamberger, Penny Stewart, Mary Stukenholtz, Ryan Carpenter, Tanner Julian, Tonya Ruiz.

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