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I Hate Hamlet – The Houston Press

When was the last time you saw a play and eagerly awaited each character's entrance, knowing that whoever came on next would be funnier than the last? Each character in I Hate Hamlet ratchets up the comedy by being outrageous, bizarre, utterly delightful — and, at times, full of life and truth. This rarely happens, trust me. But in Paul Rudnick's uproarious comedy, playing in a definitive production at Texas Repertory Theatre, it's the case from beginning to end. First is successful TV star Andrew (Rob de los Reyes), who's about to play Hamlet and scared witless at the daunting task. Next up is real estate agent Felicia (Marcy Kearns), who's dripping bangles, a Brooklyn accent and an amateur link to the spirit world. Then Andrew's dotty girlfriend Deirdre (Jen Lucy) lights up the room; she's made a career out of virginity, which drives him buggy. Andrew's agent Lillian (Barbara Lasater) reminds him that, like it or not, the contract's signed and he must appear. Scheming small-time Hollywood producer Gary (Rick Olvera) makes an appearance; he would be vacuous, but he doesn't know what that means. Then there's the one and only John Barrymore (Steven Fenley), accidentally conjured, who guides Andrew through the shoals of Shakespeare and helps buoy his miserable love life. This is Rudnick at his funniest, which is saying something since he's responsible for Addams Family Values, In & Out and The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told. Here, the one-liners come as wicked and thick as anything Neil Simon ever penned. It's his hymn to the theater, to acting, to overacting, to being a legend. While the play wallows in the hammy fakeness of great and not-so-great theater, it exudes warmth and compassion and is extremely lovable, as is TRT's loving and detailed, beautifully acted treatment.

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