To Be or Not to Be - I Hate Hamlet at the Ritz Theatre Company
by Cassidy Scherz and Richard Conway
“To be, or not to be, that is the question.” Distinctly stated by the famed writer, William Shakespeare, this quote perfectly describes the Ritz Theatre Company’s hilarious production of “I Hate Hamlet.” While this show will certainly have you rolling in your seat, it also dives into the struggle of finding a balance between passion and comfort. It poses an uncomfortable question that we often ask ourselves: Is it more important to find stability or to persevere in the face of adversity and pursue our dreams?
While I was expecting to be captivated by the humor in this show, I was not expecting to feel so immersed in the production. The intimate black box theatre, consisting of a beautiful stained glass window, a distressed staircase, a worn couch, and a dresser purposefully situated between audience members, transports us to a dingy Manhattan apartment in 1991. A mini chandelier hangs from the ceiling, as well as a timely portrait of Peter Herrick, posing as the renowned actor, John Barrymore. Props such as empty vases, cardboard moving boxes, and cigarette trays fill the space in act 1, and are soon replaced with ornate couches and lavish bouquets to liven up the apartment in act 2. The attention to detail of props and set alike are nothing short of phenomenal, and I must applaud Lisa Palena, props master, and AJ Klein and Elliot Colahan, set designers, for their work. Every single member of the crew brought such magic to the stage, capturing both the audience, as well as the true essence of Shakespeare.
As the lights dim and the 90s music fades to silence, the excitement and anticipation that fill the theatre is palpable. “I Hate Hamlet,” brilliantly directed by Bruce A. Curless, introduces us to the charming, yet somewhat pessimistic, Andrew Rally, a TV actor who has moved from L.A. to New York, with the intention of pursuing a career on stage. Felicia Dantine, a bubbly and eccentric real estate agent, has taken it upon herself to move Rally into the apartment of the late John Barrymore, best known for starring as the title role in a production of Hamlet. Having been offered the same role, Rally is conflicted about accepting the part, worried that he is not cut out for live theatre. We then meet Andrew's dramatic and excitable girlfriend, Deirdre McDavey, as well as his aged, dry humored agent, Lillian Troy. With no luck convincing Andrew to accept the role of Hamlet, the group decides to hold a seance with the hopes of contacting Barrymore in the afterlife for advice. Unbeknownst to all but Andrew, the seance proves successful, and the ghost of Barrymore returns with the sole purpose of passing on his legacy.
Joe Falcone does an exceptional job at conveying the distress and frustration felt by Andrew Rally. It is clear that he understands the dynamics of every relationship, making each interaction unique and exciting. He effectively depicts the internal battle between what he wants versus what he thinks is right. He is both passionate and reserved, creating a certain depth that can be interpreted through his tone and body language.
Jennie Santiago plays Deirdre McDavey with an unbelievable amount of heart and passion. Santiago and Falcone have wonderful chemistry on stage, and she perfectly contrasts Falcone’s bitter realism with an exceptionally pure and romantical whimsey. Her smile and energy are contagious, and her presence on stage fills the space with a beautiful intensity.
Peter Herrick’s noteworthy performance of the outrageous and larger than life John Barrymore keeps the audience laughing throughout the show. Hilarious and ridiculous, while still maintaining his humanity, Herrick gives us a tastefully layered character. His grandeur and confidence make it impossible to tear your eyes away, and he never loses intention or focus.
Susan Dewey gives us a marvelous performance as Lillian Troy, Andrew’s agent. Though she claims she is too old to discuss intimacy, Lillian reveals that she was once a secret lover of Barrymore’s, and she never fails to remind the audience just how much fun they had together. She is gritty and sarcastic, speaking with a German accent and coughing over her cigarette.
Noelle McLeer plays Felicia Dantine with boundless elation. She captivates the audience with her colorful and ditzy personality, her New York accent adding to her charm. Although she may not always know what is happening, Felicia is lovable and endearing, and McLeer plays her with a terrific stage presence.
Ryan Henzes rounds out the cast with an eccentric and vivacious Gary Peter Lefkowitz, Rally’s former TV producer from California. His pompous television personality and trademark grin capture the audience and make for a truly stellar performance.
The technical team does a remarkable job of capturing the authenticity of the characters and the script. The sound of rain fills moments of silence, ‘lightning’ strikes in the midst of tense moments, and swirling pink lights appear as the group attempts to contact the dead. Fog and green and blue lights mark the ghostly entrance of John Barrymore. Matthew Weil and Brian Gensel created a stunning ambiance and atmosphere, pushing the show to magnificence. Megan Iafolla and Addison Clark did a wonderful job with costuming and wigs, incorporating the bright colors and fun patterns of the time period. With a slightly more cohesive color palette, they would be beyond perfect. The sword fight and stage combat were beautifully choreographed by Dominic Ciarrocchi and Sean McGarry, and were well executed by Falcone and Herrick.
As the show closes out with a spotlight on Falcone holding a copy of Hamlet, the audience is left to reflect on the humor, passion, and magic that filled the space. This astonishing cast and crew proves that you certainly do not need to be a Shakespeare fan to appreciate the splendor of Hamlet.
“I Hate Hamlet” runs until Sunday, June 25th. Tickets can be purchased at
