I Hate Hamlet, the new production by Saint Sebastian Players, is a play for lovers of Shakespeare…and others. Playwright Paul Rudnick says, in his introduction to the script, that he wanted the play to appeal to “anyone who has ever had to be dragged to a high school Romeo and Juliet or a deadly all-star Julius Caesar.” So whether you loved or dreaded Shakespeare in high school or college, this may be the play for your next night out. Zach Kunde directs this theatrical comedy with a cast of six enthusiastic actors.
The hate-Hamlet story begins in the Greenwich Village apartment that TV actor Andrew Rally (Benjamin Chalex) is moving into—the apartment where John Barrymore lived from 1917 to the early 1920s, when he played Hamlet on Broadway. Andrew is visiting the apartment (the furniture is all covered in white sheets) for the first time with his real estate agent, the effervescent Felicia, played by Abigail Jimenez.
Andrew’s fame is drawn from his role as Dr. Jim Corman on the hit TV series, LA Medical, plus a TV cereal commercial with hand puppets. He’s encouraged to play Hamlet by his girlfriend Deirdre (Emma Parsons), who is smitten with Shakespeare; the thought of Andrew playing Hamlet is almost erotic (but not quite). With Deirdre’s urging, he auditioned for Hamlet five times and he’s now cast to play the lead role in the Shakespeare in the Park production. “I'm sure they only asked me because of the TY show. I'm a gimmick. I don't know why I said yes.”
Before Andrew even moves in, Felicia, who claims to be psychic, decides they must conduct a séance to “summon” the former tenant. Andrew’s agent, Lillian (Ellen Shaw), who knew Barrymore, and Deirdre participate. John Barrymore (Jered Becker) appears in person to Andrew, dressed in tights and tunic, costumed to perform the part. (Barrymore played the role on Broadway while living in this apartment, before he moved to focus on Hollywood films; his career suffered, however, because of alcohol abuse.)
The most delightful, scenes in the play are those where Barrymore coaches Andrew on playing Hamlet. When Barrymore appears, Andrew says, “You’re dead. You’re dead. What are you doing here?” And Barrymore responds, “Dear fellow, I’m here to help…. It’s a proud theatrical tradition. Every soul embarking upon Hamlet is permitted to summon an earlier player…. Your call has been answered.”
Barrymore challenges Andrew to perform the “To be or not to be” soliloquy. Fine, because Andrew used that for his audition. After much anguish and a search for “truth,” Andrew begins—and Barrymore interrupts him. He challenges Andrew to just play the part with an actor’s tools—gesture and passion, employed with gusto and finesse. “I do not overact,” Barrymore says. “I simply possess the emotional resources of ten men. I am not a ham. I’m a crowd.” Becker as Barrymore has the juiciest lines in the play and makes the most of them in his spirited performance.
During their discussion, Andrew admits that his love for Deirdre is stuck because she’s committed to her chastity. Barrymore, of course, has advice on that topic. Shakespeare, he says, is the most potent aphrodisiac.
Another visitor to Andrew’s apartment is his TV director, Gary from LA (Jake Schwingshakl), who has come to pitch a new TV series to Andrew—and to talk him out of Hamlet. “Shakespeare—it’s like algebra on stage,” Gary opines. Schwingshakl digs into this part with glee in every scene he’s in.
The new TV show, Gary says, will be a pilot and five episodes, plus participation. Participation, Andrew asks? “You’ll get paid every time it airs, first run, rerun, 4am in Singapore in the year 3000. Basically, you’ll be able to afford to buy England, dig up Shakespeare and get him to write the Christmas show!”
Barrymore, disgusted, asks Andrew, “Are you to be an artist—or a lunchbox?”
Act 2 takes place on opening night and the next morning. Barrymore, still in black tights and velvet tunic, is hanging out waiting for Andrew the next morning; he breakfasts on dry cereal out of a box. (Ghosts don’t need sleep.)
The scenic designer and decorator is Emil Zbella. Lighting, sometimes dramatized for ghostly entrances, is by Elliot DePappe. Zache Kunde is sound designer. During intermission, the stage crew provides entertainment by completely refurbishing the apartment by rearranging furniture, adding artwork and flowers. Costumes are by Mary McCarthy. Zachary Riker is stage manager.
Playwright Rudnick says, “The play began life as a real estate ad in 1987, which described a ‘medieval duplex.’ I answered the ad and discovered an atmospheric apartment on the top floor of a brownstone in Greenwich Village! John Barrymore had lived in the apartment and had transformed the premises into a gothic aerie which he christened 'The Alchemist's Corner.'" Rudnick, who lived in the apartment while writing the play, concludes, “I Hate Hamlet is my tribute to actors, to egos in greasepaint, to humans blessedly unfit for decent work. "
I Hate Hamlet by Saint Sebastian Players continues thru May 17 at St. Bonaventure Oratory, 1625 W. Diversey Pkwy. (Entrance on Marshfield Ave.) The theater is in the basement and the only access is by a stairway; there’s no elevator. Running time is two hours including intermission. Tickets ($35) and more information are available here. Performances are Thursday and Friday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm.
For more information on this and other productions, see theatreinchicago.com.
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