Enjoyable Comedy, I Hate Hamlet, Takes the Stage at Music Theatre of Connecticut
By Kiersten Bjork (February 4, 2023)
I Hate Hamlet by Paul Rudnick at Music Theatre of Connecticut, directed by Kevin Connors, is an enjoyable comedy, brimming with theatre jokes and Shakespearean witticisms. Set in the mid-1990s in New York City, I Hate Hamlet follows TV actor Andrew Rally as he returns to New York from his lucrative career in Los Angeles and finds himself with an offer to play the titular role in Shakespeare in the Park’s Hamlet. There’s only one problem – he hates Hamlet! When the ghost of famous actor, John Barrymore, takes it upon himself to guide Rally along the path to the glory of playing Hamlet, the audience is brought along for the ride as Rally is forced to decide what kind of actor, artist, and individual, he wants to be.
Constantine Pappas plays Andrew Rally, and does a decent job. I wasn’t blown away by his performance overall, as the bulk of it was stylistically similar in tone and choices. I found myself wanting more depth to his emotional journey from the successful TV star to the choice he makes at the climax of the play – I was a bit hard-pressed to believe his character would, in fact, make that choice – but perhaps this stems from a problem in the writing, as the most dramatic change in Rally’s character happens over the course of intermission. However, there were several moments where Pappas really held my focus, particularly when he and Dan O’Driscoll, playing John Barrymore, were going head-to-head. Pappas and O’Driscoll played off of each other well, and Pappas really came alive in those instances of confrontation opposite O’Driscoll. The stage combat between Pappas and O’Driscoll was a particularly well-executed aspect of the production; O’Driscoll also served as Fight and Intimacy Director for the show.
O’Driscoll is excellent as Barrymore, the ghostly actor and former Hamlet who lived in Rally’s apartment while alive. His performance is grounded, yet full of flare in a way that embodies the overzealous interpretations of Shakespeare at times, but it works quite well with the grandiose persona of the ghost. O’Driscoll’s performance was one of my favorite aspects of the production.
I Hate Hamlet by Paul Rudnick at Music Theatre of Connecticut, directed by Kevin Connors, is an enjoyable comedy, brimming with theatre jokes and Shakespearean witticisms. Set in the mid-1990s in New York City, I Hate Hamlet follows TV actor Andrew Rally as he returns to New York from his lucrative career in Los Angeles and finds himself with an offer to play the titular role in Shakespeare in the Park’s Hamlet. There’s only one problem – he hates Hamlet! When the ghost of famous actor, John Barrymore, takes it upon himself to guide Rally along the path to the glory of playing Hamlet, the audience is brought along for the ride as Rally is forced to decide what kind of actor, artist, and individual, he wants to be.
Constantine Pappas plays Andrew Rally, and does a decent job. I wasn’t blown away by his performance overall, as the bulk of it was stylistically similar in tone and choices. I found myself wanting more depth to his emotional journey from the successful TV star to the choice he makes at the climax of the play – I was a bit hard-pressed to believe his character would, in fact, make that choice – but perhaps this stems from a problem in the writing, as the most dramatic change in Rally’s character happens over the course of intermission. However, there were several moments where Pappas really held my focus, particularly when he and Dan O’Driscoll, playing John Barrymore, were going head-to-head. Pappas and O’Driscoll played off of each other well, and Pappas really came alive in those instances of confrontation opposite O’Driscoll. The stage combat between Pappas and O’Driscoll was a particularly well-executed aspect of the production; O’Driscoll also served as Fight and Intimacy Director for the show.
O’Driscoll is excellent as Barrymore, the ghostly actor and former Hamlet who lived in Rally’s apartment while alive. His performance is grounded, yet full of flare in a way that embodies the overzealous interpretations of Shakespeare at times, but it works quite well with the grandiose persona of the ghost. O’Driscoll’s performance was one of my favorite aspects of the production.
Constantine Pappas and Dan O’Driscoll in MTC’s I Hate Hamlet (Alex Mongillo)
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Robert Anthony Jones in MTC’s I Hate Hamlet (Alex Mongillo)
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Another standout in MTC’s production is Robert Anthony Jones as Rally’s friend Gary, the exuberant Hollywood writer. Jones is a riot, and steals every scene that he is in. His over-the-top energy was just what the role needed, so much so that the audience broke into applause at each of his exits, mid-scene.
Elena Ramos Pascullo’s portrayal of Deirdre, Rally’s girlfriend, is solid. Pascullo flits about the space, embodying the giddiness, yet naivety, of the character through her movement and physical and vocal choices. The character, by nature of the writing, is rather odd, and Pascullo has a quirkiness in her performance that fits the part.
Liliane Klein plays Rally’s realtor/psychic Felicia, and she carries the opening of the show. Her boisterous presence and hilarious choices during the séance had the audience laughing from the start. I found myself wishing the character was used more in the bulk of the show because of how much I enjoyed Klein’s performance at the start of the piece.
Jo Anne Parady returns to the MTC stage fresh from their 2022 production of Lend Me a Tenor, playing Lillian, Rally’s agent. Parady is fun to see in this role, and though her German accent slipped at times, the simple joy and sassy undertones of her performance brought a smile to my face.
Elena Ramos Pascullo’s portrayal of Deirdre, Rally’s girlfriend, is solid. Pascullo flits about the space, embodying the giddiness, yet naivety, of the character through her movement and physical and vocal choices. The character, by nature of the writing, is rather odd, and Pascullo has a quirkiness in her performance that fits the part.
Liliane Klein plays Rally’s realtor/psychic Felicia, and she carries the opening of the show. Her boisterous presence and hilarious choices during the séance had the audience laughing from the start. I found myself wishing the character was used more in the bulk of the show because of how much I enjoyed Klein’s performance at the start of the piece.
Jo Anne Parady returns to the MTC stage fresh from their 2022 production of Lend Me a Tenor, playing Lillian, Rally’s agent. Parady is fun to see in this role, and though her German accent slipped at times, the simple joy and sassy undertones of her performance brought a smile to my face.
Jo Anne Parady, Constantine Pappas, Liliane Klein, and Elena Ramos Pascullo in MTC’s
I Hate Hamlet (Alex Mongillo) |
Constantine Pappas and Dan O’Driscoll in MTC’s I Hate Hamlet (Alex Mongillo)
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Scenic and props designer Sean Sanford has created a simple, yet effective set for the production. I particularly liked the use of the raised platform upstage center, highlighting the door on the platform for key entrances, and echoing the classic balcony appearing in presentations of Shakespeare. Lighting designer RJ Romeo creates dramatic lighting shifts for ghostly entrances and exits that boost the impact of the moments. Flickering lights and a chandelier that pulses as a form of spiritual communication are lighting choices of note in the production. Costumes by designer Diane Vanderkroef are all well suited to the show, with my particular favorite being Gary’s first look, the crowning jewel of which was the cheetah-print shoes! Sound design by Will Atkin is well done, with effects from thunder to the apartment buzzer supporting the overall immersion into the setting.
While I wouldn’t say that I Hate Hamlet is my favorite production of the current MTC season, I did enjoy some hearty laughs and consider it to be an all-around solid production in the MTC repertoire. Catch I Hate Hamlet before it closes on February 19!
I Hate Hamlet will run from Feb. 3–Feb. 19 at Music Theatre of Connecticut. Performances are Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Ticket prices range from $40-$65 plus fees and can be purchased online at musictheatreofct.com/i-hate-hamlet or over the phone (203-454-3883). MTC MainStage is located at 509 Westport Ave. in Norwalk, CT.
Kiersten Bjork is a theatremaker and reviewer from Branford, CT, currently in the mentorship program with the Connecticut Critics Circle.
While I wouldn’t say that I Hate Hamlet is my favorite production of the current MTC season, I did enjoy some hearty laughs and consider it to be an all-around solid production in the MTC repertoire. Catch I Hate Hamlet before it closes on February 19!
I Hate Hamlet will run from Feb. 3–Feb. 19 at Music Theatre of Connecticut. Performances are Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Ticket prices range from $40-$65 plus fees and can be purchased online at musictheatreofct.com/i-hate-hamlet or over the phone (203-454-3883). MTC MainStage is located at 509 Westport Ave. in Norwalk, CT.
Kiersten Bjork is a theatremaker and reviewer from Branford, CT, currently in the mentorship program with the Connecticut Critics Circle.