I Hate Hamlet


I Hate Hamlet is a comedy-drama written in 1991 by Paul Rudnick.

Plot

Set in John Barrymore's old apartment in New York City – at the time, the author's real-life home – the play follows successful television actor Andrew Rally as he struggles with taking on the dream role of Hamlet, dealing with a girlfriend who is keeping a firm grip on her chastity, and playing host to the ghost of John Barrymore, who, clothed as Hamlet, has come back to earth for the sole purpose of convincing Rally to play the part. Real estate agent Felicia Dantine convinces Rally to stay in the apartment and hold a seance.
Barrymore proves to be very convincing, and Andrew decides to play Hamlet. But when a Hollywood friend shows up offering Andrew a new role in a television pilot, with a potentially large salary and fame, Andrew is forced to choose between Shakespeare, whom his girlfriend loves, or television, where he is loved by millions.

Original Production

The play was originally produced on Broadway in the Walter Kerr Theatre, opening on April 8, 1991. The show was directed by Michael Engler, set design Tony Straiges, costume design Jane Greenwood, lighting design Paul Gallo, sound design, and fight choreography B. H. Barry. The cast starred Caroline Aaron, Evan Handler, Jane Adams, Celeste Holm, Nicol Williamson, and Adam Arkin.

Controversy

, who played the role of John Barrymore in the initial Broadway production, was notoriously mercurial, and gradually alienated most of his fellow cast and crewmembers. This animosity culminated in an injury to co-star Evan Handler during an onstage sword fight. Handler subsequently left the production. Paul Rudnick later detailed the deterioration of his relationship with Williamson in a 2008 article for the New Yorker.

Primary sources