By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
If there’s one thing that can be said about Shakespeare in this day and age, it’s that it can be a little hard to read and to understand.
Which is part of the reason why Mary Hubbard Nugent pitched the show “I Hate Hamlet” to the Haylofters.
“It makes Shakespeare more accessible,” said Hubbard Nugent, who points out that the play does tell a lot of the story of Hamlet. “The struggles that Hamlet goes through are struggles that every young man goes through.”
The show opens Thursday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the Malt House Theater in Burlington. Performance dates are Oct. 3-5, 11-13 and 18-20. Thursday through Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday performances are 2 p.m. matinees.
Tickets are now on sale at The Grater Tater, 140 W. Chestnut St., Burlington, and The Coffee House at Chestnut and Pine, 492 N. Pine St., Burlington, for $10, or on-line (at a slightly higher price) at www.thehaylofters.com.
Tickets, if available, will also be on sale at the theater on performance dates, one hour before curtain.
“I Hate Hamlet” is a comedy. Andrew Rally, a soap opera star, agrees to play Hamlet in a production of New York City’s Shakespeare in the Park, but there’s a problem: Andrew hates Hamlet.
He decides to move into the apartment that John Barrymore (whose Hamlet was regarded as one of the greatest of his time) once occupied and proceeds to participate in a séance. His dilemma deepens with the entrance of Barrymore’s ghost, who arrives intoxicated and in full costume. The contrast between the dissipated Barrymore and Andrew Rally, hot young television star, leads to a wildly funny duel over women, art, success, duty, television, and yes, the apartment.
“It’s a wonderful comedy. The interplay between characters is quick and funny,” said Hubbard Nugent. “It’s witty, it’s fun, fast and entertaining.
The cast includes many names familiar to the Hayloft, including Janaan Rose, John Gregoles, Mike Austin, Adam LeMarr and Pamela Schroeder. Also in the cast is Burlington High School standout Hannah Anderson.
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