Written by Paul Rudnick, I Hate Hamlet tells the story of Andrew Rally, an up-and-coming television actor who relocates from the City of Angels to the Big Apple in an effort to save his career. He’s reluctantly and begrudgingly accepted the role of Hamlet, a role made famous by legendary actor John Barrymore. Not long after Andrew moves into his gothic brownstone once inhabited by Barrymore, he is visited by Barrymore’s ghost. What unfolds next is a wildly funny duel over women, art, success, television, and even the apartment.

Dan Whelton. Submitted photo

Making his Playhouse on Park debut is Director VINCE TYCER (Directing: Connecticut Repertory Theatre: ANONYMOUS; Rose Theatre Bankside – London: DOCTOR FAUSTUS; The Courtyard Theatre: YOUR FAULT; Acting: Leicester Square Theatre, West End, Vienna English Theatre).

Featured in this production are: DAN WHELTON as Andrew (Hartford TheaterWorks: Jason Chenier TAKE ME OUT; Hartford Stage: Butler THE LEARNED LADIES OF PARK AVE, Lyric Stage Company: Stanley ONE MAN, TWO GUV’NERS), EZRA BARNES as John Barrymore (Playhouse on Park: THE DINING ROOM. Connecticut: Founder and Artistic Director of Shakespeare on the Sound (13 seasons); Hartford Stage: OTHELLO. Off Broadway: Signature Center/Theatre Row: producer and actor BREAKFAST WITH MUGABE; Queens Theater: Atticus Finch TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD; TV: BLACKLIST, BLUE BLOODS, Film: NOAH), SUSAN SLOTOROFF as Deirdre (Playhouse onPark: Actor THE DINING ROOM; Shadowland: Roz MOON OVER BUFFALO, Billie UNNECESSARY FARCE; Arts Center of Coastal Carolina: Maggie LEND ME A TENOR), JULIA HOCHNER as Felicia (Gulfshore Playhouse: Lydia Lubey ALL MY SONS; Joe’s Pub: Doreen THE FAT MAN’S DAUGHTER), DAVID LANSON as Gary (Playwrights Horizons: Eugene Moretti THE BAD AND THE BETTER; SoHo Rep: Stanley ENTER AT FOREST LAWN), and RUTH NEAVEILL as Lillian (Shakespeare Theatre Company: Louise (US) PRIVATE LIVES; Anna/Grusha (US) THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR; Centenary Stage Company: Mrs. Garrick/Mrs. Barry A LAUGHING MATTER).

Ezra Barnes. Submitted photo

This uproarious comedy runs until March 13, with previews on Feb. 24 and 25. Every Sunday matinee performance is followed by an audience talkback with the director and cast. Tickets range from $22.50-$35.00.

Season Seven mini subscriptions are also available, with 10 percent savings over individual tickets. Shows included in the lineup are: I Hate Hamlet, stop/time dance theater’s Superstition, Wit, and A Chorus Line.To purchase tickets or a subscription, call our box office at 860-523-5900 x10. For additional information, visit www.playhouseonpark.org. Playhouse on Park is located at 244 Park Rd., West Hartford, CT 06119.