The Suffield Players -- Photo Gallery/I Hate Hamlet

I Hate Hamlet, May, 2019

by Paul Rudnick	Costumes by Patricia McMahon
directed by Robert C. "Bob" Williams, Jr.	Set design by Robert C. "Bob" Williams, Jr.

A popular TV star, worried about his career after his show is canceled, reluctantly travels to New York to play Hamlet in Central Park. He is not sure if he even likes the play, but he has rented the apartment of the late John Barrymore, whose ghost shows up to help him play the role.

Real estate agent Felicia Dantine (Krista Mazzuca) shows Andrew Rally (Tyler Wolfson) and old brownstone apartment. She says it's perfect for him—the late John Barrymore lived there.

Andrew's girlfriend, Deirdre McDavey (Julianne Thouin), arrives to "take in" the apartment.		Also on hand to see the place is Andrew's agent, Lillian Troy (Kelly Seip).

Practically obsessed with the idea of John Barrymore, Felicia persuades everyone to hold a séance to summon his spirit. Nothing happens, so they all go out to dinner. During their absence, strange mists cover the stage and a figure emerges.		The summoned spirit (Ed Bernstein) introduces himself to Andrew upon his return.

Deirdre drops by, but she cannot see Barrymore, who claims this proves he is who he says he is.		Deirdre leaves, and Andrew's writer-producer-etc friend from California, Gary Peter Lefkowitz (Allen Nott), drops by to get Andrew to come back to LA for a project he's working on. He can see Barrymore, who says that's because Gary is so wrapped up in himself, it doesn't matter.

Barrymore puts Andrew through rigorous training.		After a few weeks, Barrymore proclaims Andrew ready. But is he, really?
Other performance photos.

… Lillian can see Barrymore, too. (She had an affair with him when he was alive.)