I Hate Hamlet
by Paul Rudnick

I Hate Hamlet

Synopsis

A comedy for a cast of 6: 3 men and 3 women.

The Story: Andrew Rally seems to have it all: celebrity and acclaim from his starring role in a hit television series; a rich, beautiful girlfriend; a glamorous, devoted agent; the perfect New York apartment; and the chance to play Hamlet in Central Park.

There are, however, a couple of glitches in paradise.

Andrew's series has been canceled; his girlfriend is clinging to her virginity with unyielding conviction; and he has no desire to play Hamlet.

When Andrew's agent visits him, she reminisces about her brief romance with John Barrymore many years ago, in Andrew's apartment.

This prompts a seance to summon his ghost.

From the moment Barrymore returns, dressed in high Shakespearean garb, Andrew's life is no longer his own.

Barrymore, fortified by champagne and ego, presses Andrew to accept the part and fulfill his actor's destiny.

The action becomes more hilarious with the entrance of Andrew's deal-making friend from LA, spouting the laid-back hype of the Coast and offering Andrew a fabulous new TV deal worth millions of dollars.

The laughs are nonstop as Andrew wrestles with his conscience, Barrymore, his sword, and the fact that he fails as Hamlet in Central Park.

Themes

Performance

Cast

A small cast size of 6 total roles, 3 female and 3 male roles.

Publication

Year Published
1992
ISBN 10
0822205467
ISBN 13
9780822205463
Binding
Paperback
Edition
Acting Edition
Print Length
72 pages
Language
English
Print
I Hate Hamlet is a American play written by and published by Dramatists Play Service in 1992. The print edition has an ISBN-13 of 9780822205463 and an ISBN-10 of 0822205467.

Rating

3.75 out of 5

from 672 ratings and 46 reviews

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