GCCC Theatre to Perform Paul Rudnick's Hysterical Comedy I HATE HAMLET April 18-27
UPDATE 4/20/2024: MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT - ALL TICKETS NOW FREE FOR "I HATE HAMLET"
Per Dr. Joshua Kelly, GCCC Theatre Director: "Dear friends and colleagues, reviving the program has come with numerous challenges -- namely getting the word out that we are back and convincing audiences to give our new mission and new professional standards of production a chance. The houses we have had for our first two performances of I HATE HAMLET (and last fall's THE PILLOWMAN) were quality audiences, full of wonderful community members who appreciated the new standard of skill and talent that we have brought to the GC3 theatre.
But those houses were also smaller than we would hope: after so many brilliant artists work as hard as they have to create a show as good as I HATE HAMLET is, every seat that stands empty when the curtain rises is a disappointment. For these young actors, designers, and students, we absolutely must change that. We need to give their incredible work the reward it deserves.
And so, I have made the decision that all remaining performances of I HATE HAMLET are now FREE ADMISSION to anyone who wants to see the show. Bring a friend, bring ten, bring strangers -- seats are going to be simply GIVEN AWAY once house opens at 6:30 on a first come, first served basis for every performance left (including tonight).
With a show this good, there's simply no reason not to have full houses. So let's give them to this remarkable group of artists. Take a chance and come see their work for FREE. I promise you won't be disappointed.
And, hopefully, a completely free house means a rush on seats, so come at 6:30 when house opens to make sure you get yours!
I HATE HAMLET plays at 7:00pm in the Joyce Fine Arts Building at GCCC April 18-20, 25-27: the show contains mild adult language and sexual humor and is recommended for teenaged and adult audiences
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[Garden City, KS] April 2, 2024 -- Garden City Community College Theatre is thrilled to announce performances of Paul Rudnick's I Hate Hamlet April 18-20, 25-27 at 7:00 pm on the KCB Bank Auditorium Stage in the Joyce Fine Arts Building.
"We've been laughing ourselves to tears in rehearsal," says director Dr. Joshua Kelly. "Garden City audiences will be beside themselves."
Abounding in swordfights, champagne, and (of course) tights, I Hate Hamlet—the Broadway run of which ended in an infamous stabbing onstage in 1991—tells the hilarious story of Andrew Rally, a television soap-star trying to earn his stripes as a legitimate actor by playing Hamlet in New York City's Shakespeare in the Park. Unprepared, sexually frustrated, and untalented, Andrew is ready to quit when the ghost of John Barrymore—American acting royalty and one of the definitive Hamlets in U.S. history—appears and attempts to coach the ham-fisted amateur through playing one of the greatest parts of all time. Featuring hysterical dialogue, riotous physical humor, and unexpected poignancy, I Hate Hamlet has been a beloved American comedy for thirty years and is a love letter to the sometimes-absurd craft of theatre.
GCCC's production features a talented ensemble of student and community actors, an impressive design of a Gothic-meets-Baroque revival of a Brownstone apartment in New York (complete with medieval chandelier, black marble floors, and gold crown molding), and costume design by much-loved GCHS theatre teacher Robyn Hilt. It also benefits from collaboration of several GCCC departments, including the Carpentry program's construction of stair units and Gothic arches and the Art department's contribution of a 10-foot-tall stained-glass window featuring the iconic actor Barrymore in Hamlet's famous Yorick scene.
"We've got two primary considerations in show selection," says Dr. Joshua Kelly, Director of Theatre at GCCC. "What shows benefit the education of our students and what do Garden City audiences need or deserve to see? Our production of The Pillowman last fall challenged our audiences to reconsider how we define good art. This production of I Hate Hamlet challenges us about our reasons for making good art, and gives our audiences a chance to see what goes into creating theatre in a way that allows us to laugh at ourselves the whole time. Most importantly, it has excellent parts for our students, a chance to utilize a couple of very supportive community members, and requires a group effort from artists across multiple departments to pull off successfully."
GCCC's production of I Hate Hamlet stars students Ryan Pilosof as hapless actor Andrew, Johb Silva as his materialistic and theatre-hating producer friend Gary, Adriana Mendoza as Andrew's wildly romantic lover Deirdre, and Razel Quintero as the ghost of John Barrymore. It also features community actors Taylin Ansel as Andrew's psychic real estate agent Felicia, and Stacie Hahn as Andrew's imperious acting agent Lillian. Tickets are $10 General Admission and FREE to all students wherever they're enrolled.
I Hate Hamlet contains mild adult language and sexual humor and is recommended for teenaged and adult audiences. Questions about the production can be directed to Dr. Joshua Kelly at joshua.kelly@gcccks.edu
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