Hilarious Dramatic-Comedy "I Hate Hamlet " Takes Stage at MTC

Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) continues their 36th MainStage Season with the humorous I Hate Hamlet by Paul Rudnick. The play centers around television star Andrew Rally who is battling with his identity as an actor after cancellation of his role on a hit television series. Andrew moves to a gothic NYC apartment and is presented with the opportunity to play Hamlet onstage, but there's one problem: he hates Hamlet. When Andrew’s agent visits him, she reminisces about her brief romance with John Barrymore, which prompts a séance to summon his ghost. From the moment Barrymore returns, Andrew’s life is no longer his own. Barrymore, fortified by champagne and ego, presses Andrew to accept the part and fulfill his actor’s destiny.

Photos by Alex Mongillo

I Hate Hamlet will run three weekends from February 3rd – 19th, 2023 with performances on Fridays & Saturday at 8pm and Saturdays & Sundays at 2pm. Andrew Rally seems to have it all: celebrity and acclaim from his starring role in a hit television series; a rich, beautiful girlfriend; a glamorous, devoted agent; the perfect New York apartment; and the chance to play Hamlet in Central Park. There are, however, a couple of glitches in paradise. Andrew’s series has been canceled; his girlfriend is clinging to her virginity with unyielding conviction; and he has no desire to play Hamlet. When Andrew’s agent visits him, she reminisces about her brief romance with John Barrymore, which prompts a séance to summon his ghost. From the moment Barrymore returns, Andrew’s life is no longer his own. Barrymore, fortified by champagne and ego, presses Andrew to accept the part and fulfill his actor’s destiny.

This production is directed by Kevin Connors, who is Executive Artistic Director and MTC Co-Founder. He has directed over 150 MTC Equity MainStage productions including Next to Normal, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Falsettoland, Ragtime, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, Evita, Doubt, Master Class, Gypsy, (all Connecticut Critics’ Circle Award Nominations/Winners), and It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, (Moss Hart Award Winner). BroadwayWorld Award Winner as Best Director for MTC’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Multiple Connecticut Critics’ Circle Best Director winner including MTC’s Ragtime and Falsettoland, and 2-time recipient of the Tom Killen Award for Outstanding Contribution to Connecticut Professional Theatre. As a composer he has penned the score for numerous musicals including It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play and The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play (all published by Playscripts, Inc.), and served on the faculties of The Hartt School of Music/University of Hartford, Sacred Heart University, the University of Bridgeport and Musical Theatre Works in NYC.

I Hate Hamlet stars Constantine Pappas (Nat’l Tour- Phantom of the Opera, Off B’way-Penelope) as Andrew, Dan O’Driscoll (Off B’way- The Pirates of Penzance, Babes in Toyland) as John Barrymore, Elena Ramos Pascullo (Florida Studio Theatre - Something Rotten, MTC- The Buddy Holly Story) as Deirdre, Liliane Klein (Nat’l Tour- Scrooge, Titanic) as Felicia, Robert Anthony Jones (B’way- Finding Neverland, Nat’l Tour - Phantom of the Opera) as Gary, and Jo Anne Parady (Players Club- The Life of Shakespeare, Stratford Shakespeare Festival - Othello) as Lillian.

To be inclusive of everyone’s health and safety concerns, MTC has allocated two performances of I Hate Hamlet as “Masks Required” performances. These performances will be on February 10th at 8pm and February 18th at 2pm. As the name suggests, at these performances all audience members and staff are required to wear masks while inside MTC. Actors on stage will not wear masks.

Ticket prices range from $40-$65 plus fees and can be purchased online (www.musictheatreofct.com/i-hate-hamlet or over the phone (203-454-3883). MTC MainStage is located at 509 Westport Ave in Norwalk, CT.

About Music Theatre of Connecticut

Music Theatre of Connecticut was founded in 1987 by Directors Kevin Connors and Jim Schilling. MTC's professional mainstage company has presented over 30 seasons of critically-acclaimed productions, including both new works and “buried treasures” of the American musical theatre. MTC is recipient of the Connecticut Critics' Circle's highest honor, the Tom Killen Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Connecticut Professional Theatre. MTC was also presented with a Connecticut State Legislative Citation to commemorate the Tom Killen Memorial Award. Productions presented at MTC have been nominated for Best Musical of the Connecticut theatre season and several others have gone on to have successful productions in New York and at other regional houses. MTC boasts a state-of-the-art black box theatre, rehearsal studios, scenic and costume design shops, dressing rooms, and beautiful lobby and public spaces. MTC is a 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization. For more information, visit www.musictheatreofct.com.