“We’re wonderful”, said Lisa Kay Morton, director of “I Hate Hamlet.” An immodest statement made before the latest of Port Tobacco Players performances. By the time the curtain fell at the end of the outstanding play it was clear Morton had reason to boast.
“I Hate Hamlet,” written by Paul Rudnick, is running at the Port Tobacco Theater in La Plata until January 28th. A more adult-oriented treat, “I Hate Hamlet” is about a modern day actor, Andrew Rally, performed by Darren Langley, who is hesitant to perform the famous role of Hamlet, after finding himself out of work as an aspiring television superstar. After Rally buys an apartment in New York that was formerly owned by the late John Barrymore, one of the greatest performers of Hamlet (from 1922-1925), strange things began to happen.
During his first night in the apartment, Rally encounters the ghost of Barrymore, played by John W. Kirby. Barrymore coaxes Rally into playing the role of Hamlet for a local non-profit theatre, and then lends a hand with some “spiritual” tutoring.
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| Photos courtesy of the Port Tobacco Players |
Six weeks pass during the intermission, yet the spectators’ interest remains very much alive and well.
The play continues as the fate of the character Rally unravels. Following his opening night as Hamlet, Rally comes to realize his role is an honorable one, despite his mediocre performance, lack of pay and little chance of achieving the fame and fortune he had formerly coveted.
Last weekend, many satisfied, sincere laughs and applauds from the relatively older audience filled the theatre throughout the play. Even from dimly lit back stalls, it is easy to see that the Port Tobacco Players (who have been performing since the 1940s) can and will continue to make quite the impression.
The final performances of “I Hate Hamlet” are Friday and Saturday at 8:00pm
and Sunday at 3:00pm. For reservations call 301-932-6819.
