I Hate Hamlet

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 reminices 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 Shakespearan 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.

Register-Guard Review by Dorothy Velasco

Photographs

Cast

Don Aday as the suave, imperious John Barrymore

Michael Voigt as the young actor, Andrew Rally

Bethany Ford as his girlfriend, Deirdre

Sharon Wetterling as Lillian

Tami Dingle as Felicia

Ken Hof as the TV producer, Gary Lefkowitz

Production Staff

Director: Carol Massahos

Stage Manager/Assistant Director: Achilles Massahos

Set Designer & Painting Coord.: Tim Tendick

Costume Design: Paula Tendick

Costume Assistant: Twilo Scofield

Set Construction: Carl Keller, Bill Dingle

Set Painting: Mindy Linder, Johnny Ormsbee

Set Dressers: Melina Neal, Vern Hafner

Lighting Design-Technical Director: Marc Shapiro

Sound Design: Sharon Wetterling

Properties: Michael Scott

Properties Assistant: Amber Richardson

Props Assistant/Stage Crew: Robin Paynter

Fight Choreography: John Elliott

Hair & Makeup: Claudia Liontos

Accent Coach: Richard Leinaweaver

Lighting Tech: Russell Kamp

Sound Tech: Raychl Ferguson

Tech Crew: Robert Carlson

Production Manager: Michael Walker

Publicity: Scott Barkhurst

Poster Design: Don Aday

Photography: Cliff Coles

Opening Night Gala: Bill DeWein, Nancy Boyette, Jane Fruin, David Sherman and Darlene Moyer

Acknowledgements: Karen Perkins, The Willamette Repertory Theatre, Lord Leebrick Theatre Company, Magic Castle of Swords at the Gateway Mall, Stephen Speidel