A play, a ghost and plenty of laughs; why you’ll love ‘I Hate Hamlet’
Despite its name, the comedy I Hate Hamlet isn’t really about hating one of the most beloved dramas in history — at least at its heart.
Instead, it’s about theater, passion, craft, love, personal courage and so much more.
And, it’s funny. Rip-roaringly funny, Tim Harris said.
He’s directing The Richland Players’ production, which opens Nov. 10.
“Get your tickets early,” he said. “It’s going to be fun.”
The play centers on Andrew Rally, a TV star who moves to New York to play Hamlet in a Central Park production.
He’s reluctant, not sure he can pull off one of The Bard’s most famous roles. Then, after a séance, he’s visited by the ghost of John Barrymore, a legendary actor known for his turn as Hamlet.
Plenty of laughs — and even a sword fight — follow.
“It’s one of those hilarious stories where the audience is going to get really involved,” Harris said.
When the sword fight happens, “I believe their jaws are going to drop. They’re going to leave the theater talking about it for some time,” he said.
The production stars Players stalwarts Sergio Bueno as Rally and Steve Montgomery as Barrymore. The cast also includes Lorinda Ferland, Cindy Juntunen, Shairra Rahseparian and Michael Thomas.
Patty Cook is producing. She said that Harris, an accomplished actor himself, is excelling in the director role.
And the cast is seamlessly and energetically bringing the characters to life, Cook said.
The Players brought in a fight choreographer to help with the sword play, and it’s paid off, she added.
“It’s a comedy, and everyone likes to laugh. It’s light-hearted,” Cook said. “It’s a feel-good (show).”
Performances are at 8 p.m. Nov. 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 19 and 26 at the Players theater, 608 The Parkway.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students, seniors and the military. They’re available at richlandplayers.org, by calling 509-943-1991 and at the box office.
Sara Schilling: 509-582-1529, @SaraTCHerald
This story was originally published November 9, 2017 at 2:35 PM with the headline "A play, a ghost and plenty of laughs; why you’ll love ‘I Hate Hamlet’."