Arena Dinner Theatre 

I Hate Hamlet

by Paul Rudnick

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Director Chris Murphy​

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Open Auditions: Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 7 pm at 
Arena Dinner Theatre 

​Arrive at least 5-10 minutes prior to auditions to fill out your audition form. (Doors will open @ 6:30 pm)

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Everyone should be prepared to perform sides from the script. To receive the sides or a perusal script in advance, email Murphy27A@gmail.com.

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Call Back/Make-Up Auditions: Monday, January 13 @ 7 pm at Arena Dinner Theatre
Actors needed at Call-Backs will be notified via call or text immediately following open auditions.
If you are unable to attend the January 12 audition, you may audition this night. Email Murphy27A@gmail.com to RSVP.

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CHARACTERS:

• ANDREW RALLY: (mid 20s/early 30s) A popular TV star whose series has just been cancelled. He reluctantly moves into John Barrymore’s apartment and agrees to take on the role of Hamlet for a Shakespeare in the Park production, even though he has no interest.

• JOHN BARRYMORE: (30s-60s) The ghost of the famous larger-than-life actor whose mission is to convince Andrew to play Hamlet. 

• DEIRDRE MCDAVEY: (mid 20s/early 30s) Andrew’s naive girlfriend from a privileged background, a hopeless romantic, and the cause of Andrew’s sexual frustration. She is overjoyed that her boyfriend is going to play Hamlet, much more than he is.

• FELICIA DANTINE: (30s-50s) Andrew’s sophisticated real estate broker, who is fascinated with the world of theatre and claims to have a sense of the supernatural. Slight New York accent preferred.

• GARY PETER LEFKOWITZ: (30s- 60s) Hot-shot LA TV writer/producer/director with no true appreciation for theatre, especially Shakespeare. He tries to entice Andrew with the promise of a new starring role in a sitcom.

• LILLIAN TROY: (late 50s-late 70s) Andrew’s agent, who has had a history with John Barrymore. She is frank with a dry sense of humor. German accent.

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REHEARSALS: Rehearsals begin January 27 or February 3 (depending on cast conflicts) and run thru March 7; and MAY be held 4-5 days per week, Monday-Friday (7-10 PM) and/or Sunday (Time TBA). Not all dates will be used and not all actors will be called for all rehearsals. A specific schedule based on cast availability will be made after casting.
TECH SUNDAY: Sunday, March 9 (1 pm- ????)
TECH WEEK: Monday, March 10-Thursday, March 13 (6:30/7- 10:30ish pm)

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ABOUT THE SHOW:
In Paul Rudnick’s hilarious comedy I Hate Hamlet, television star Andrew Rally is about to start rehearsals to play Hamlet—and he is terrified. Unsure of himself and worried about his career, Andrew doesn’t know what to do. In the midst of his confusion, he is visited by the ghost of legendary actor John Barrymore. Barrymore explains that all actors who take on the role are visited and mentored by their predecessors and that he cannot leave Andrew until he takes the stage as Hamlet. Andrew’s girlfriend wants him to be a romantic hero of the stage, his friend wants him to accept a lucrative new TV gig, and Barrymore wants him to accept his own great theatrical mantle. As Andrew grows under Barrymore’s larger-than-life wing, he is forced to confront the ultimate question: who he wants to be, or not to be.