I Hate Hamlet

i_hate_hamlet

I Hate Hamlet
Stage Door Players
through February 21, 2016

OK, . . So maybe you didn’t enjoy having to read through some of The Bard’s works when you were in high school. And, maybe you thought his stuff was only for the upper crust. Well, whether you are a fan or not, this is one you will enjoy and Old Bill didn’t have nothin’ to do with it.

It’s about a TV actor who is signed to play Hamlet at the Joseph Papp’s Shakespeare in the Park in Manhattan. He’s brought to an apartment to rent by a realtor who knew John Barrymore when he lived there. The actor, Andrew (Dan Ford) isn’t that smitten with the place, but the realtor, Felicia (Gina Rickicki) sells him on the deal.

Andrew’s TV show has been canceled and he also has some frustration in that his girlfriend, Deirdre (Kathryn David), isn’t that anxious to jump in the sack with him to ease his feelings. There’s also a riotous and very pushy producer, Gary (Jonathan David Williams) and Andrew’s agent, Lillian (Holly Stevenson) to deal with. But, the real action catalyst is the ghost of John Barrymore (Robin Bloodworth) who enjoys moving the action along and playing the roles he loved to play when he was still in real time.

For the play’s the thing, and perhaps all’s well that ends well. But, there are many laughs along the way. I could not help but think to myself that this was a far far better thing than I had done before.

Directed by Robert Egizio, with a neat set by Chuck Welcome and some silly fencing action, this is more fun than Shakespeare 101. Actually, it ain’t about him, or Poor Yorick, but who cares? Stage Door Players is in Dunwoody at the North Dekalb Cultural Center, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. Comfortable, free parking and easy to get to. For more info visit them at StageDoorPlayers.net