Posted from Stillwater Scene magazine with permission
Written by Jared F. Cranke, publisher
Many actors have personal problems. That is obvious in our tabloid-obsessed world today. But no actor's problems have ever been as humorous as Andrew Rally's in the upcoming play at Town & Gown Theatre, I Hate Hamlet.
Opening Thursday, September 25, I Hate Hamlet tells Andrew's (Shane O'Mealey) story of a celebrity who has it all -- acclaim from his starring role on a hit television series, a beautiful, rich girlfriend, a glamorous devoted agent, the perfect New York apartment and a chance to play Hamlet in Central Park. The real story, however, is that his TV show has been cancelled, his girlfriend, Deirdre (Valerie Thrasher), is clinging to her virginity with unyielding conviction and he has no desire to play Hamlet.
When Andrew's real estate agent Felicia (Dawn Wilson) tells him his apartment used to be inhabited by famous 20th century actor John Barrymore, the news inspires a seance and the ghost of Barrymore (Jacob Boyd) returns, dressed in full Shakespearean garb, and life is no longer the same for Andrew. Barrymore, fortified by champagne and ego, presses Andrew to accept the part of Hamlet and fulfill his destiny. The action becomes more hilarious with the entrance of Andrew's deal-making friend, Gary (Paul Weber), 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.
Written by Paul Rudnick and directed by Ashley Hodges, making her directorial debut, I Hate Hamlet promises to make a "fast-mouthed" and "unapologetically funny" run at Town & Gown Theatre, as past reviews have stated.
"Pure entertainment," is how Hodges succinctly describes the play. "There will be some comedy, romance, a sword fight and, yes, a little bit from Hamlet."
Hodges, a recent Oklahoma State University graduate with a BFA in Theatre Performance, has been involved with Town & Gown Theatre since her leading role in Proof during the 2004-05 season. She has also appeared in The Wizard of Oz, Strange Times in Sacred Oaks and Arsenic and Old Lace on the Town & Gown stage as well as a production of Pippen for Theatre Tulsa. Currently, Hodges is now secretary for the Town & Gown Board of Directors, but regardless of the title of her directorial debut, Hodges does not hate Hamlet.
"I actually love Shakespeare plays," she says. "They are some of my favorites. A dream of mine is to move to England and perform at the Globe Theatre and do Shakespeare till my heart's content. I think that my favorite Shakespeare play would have to be Macbeth. What more could you ask for: witchcraft, suspense, deceit, fights and good triumphing over evil!"
Hodges looked through several plays before deciding on I Hate Hamlet, including the possibility of a Shakespearean play, but chose a play that she has loved for years.
"What made me decide on I Hate Hamlet was the space of Town & Gown," Hodges adds. "I wanted a play that I knew would work well and even highlight our theatre. I also knew that this was a show that our audiences and my cast would fully enjoy every night."
Casting the show, which is always a challenge for most directors, also proved to be exciting for Hodges.
"I had a difficult time casting because there were so many great people that came out, says Hodges. "What helped me was thinking about the pairings with other actors and what way they would take the character that I hadn't thought of. I love my cast and wouldn't change anything. They have truly made this experience memorable. I also couldn't do this without my crew, who help keep me sane with all of the things I have to get done."
I Hate Hamlet, originally published in 1992, deals with celebrity from the inside but is being produced at a time when the world looks in on celebrities all the time with the help of tabloid magazines and television shows. Hodges doesn't necessarily believe the play, if written today, would be much different because she feels the play deals more with self-confidence rather than celebrity.
"That is the base of most of Andrew's problems," she continues. "He has to find his confidence in playing Hamlet and in his personal life with Deirdre. To me the lesson to take away from this show is that if you have confidence in yourself and try your hardest, things will work out for the best."
Although not considered a ghost story, I Hate Hamlet may entertain at least one uninvited guest during its run at the theatre -- a Ghost. Many Town & Gown members have reported strange occurences ranging from slamming doors, mysterious footsteps, voices, faulty equipment and even supernatural touching, all of which you can read about on the Town & Gown website. Hodges, a self-described scaredy-cat, has (so far) had no real encounters of her own.
"It's no secret that I am afraid of the dark and the things that go bump in the night," Hodges says. "My imagination likes to run wild at times, so when I've been at the theatre by myself, the first thing I do is turn on every light possible. One day I was alone painting and I could have sworn that I kept hearing a door open, and occasionally I thought I saw a shadow up in the light booth. It wasn't too long after that, I packed up and left."
So join Hodges, her cast and crew and possibly even a spiritual visitor (besides the ghost of Barrymore) at Town & Gown Theatre this month. Tickets for I Hate Hamlet go on sale Monday, September 22 and can be reserved by calling (405) 372-9122. For information, please visit www.townandgown.org.
