I Hate Hamlet

“I Hate Hamlet” might be a popular complaint for high school seniors, but it’s also the first production at Northern Virginia Community College Manassas Campus that is not associated with a class.

The play, which had open auditions, features talent from around the region. And, surprise surprise, there’s very little animosity toward the prince of Denmark amongst the cast and crew.

“I don’t hate Hamlet,” director Dick Creps said. “I enjoy Shakespeare, but I liked the light-hearted approach to Shakespeare, it’s not heavy handed.”

“[The play] just connected with me in terms of humor,. Very funny, very fast-paced,” Creps, 53, said. “It’s got a lot of good lines and sort of satirical commentary about life in our modern era… We also have a fine cast.”

The play, written by Paul Rudnick, opened on Broadway in 1991. It is a comedy about a television actor, Andrew Rally, trying to expand his acting to stage, playing Hamlet in Shakespeare in the Park. He moves into the New York apartment of the late actor John Barrymore, famous for playing Hamlet. Through a séance, Barrymore’s ghost appears to coach Rally.

Charles St. Charles, a government employee living in Washington, D.C., plays Barrymore. He wouldn’t give his age, but said he can play characters between 40 and 50.

“I Hate Hamlet” marks his Prince William County debut. He previously appeared in an Alexandria production of “The Philadelphia Story” and “The Ex-Files” at last year’s fringe festival in Washington, D.C.

To prepare for this role he watched several John Barrymore movies, including “Twentieth Century,” “Dinner at Eight” and “Grand Hotel.” He also read histories on the Internet.

“It’s the greatest role I’ve ever seen,” St. Charles said. “You have so many hints who he is in this text, he’s a drunk, he’s a seducer, he’s a legend, he’s a corpse. This script is rich in telling me who I am.”

But there’s more to “I Hate Hamlet” than just a ghost.

“It’s got sword fighting and a séance and romance,” producer Kathryn O’Sullivan said. “It pokes fun at television, advertising and theater itself, the whole idea of Shakespeare, playing Hamlet.”

O’Sullivan, 43, is a professor of speech and drama at Northern Virginia Community College in Manassas. Creps is one of O’Sullivan’s students.

She said he’s taken just about every class she’s taught.

“Almost everybody involved is a current or former student of mine,” O’Sullivan said.

She added that “I Hate Hamlet” does not require people in the audience to know the CliffsNotes of any of The Bard’s plays, but knowing some titles might help with the jokes.

“There is a fondness for theater and Shakespeare, despite the fact the author is making fun of it,” O’Sullivan said. “The script itself is really clever and funny.”

Creps said he ran sound for a 2003 Vpstart Crow production of “Hamlet.” He’s also been involved in a number of Northern Virginia Community College Manassas shows, including playing Henry Westenra in “Dracula,” which he also co-directed a couple years ago.

“This is the first time he’s helmed an entire show himself, so it’s very exciting,” O’Sullivan said.

Want to go?
What’s Up: “I Hate Hamlet” debuts
When: Friday and Saturday, April 25, 26 at 7:30 p.m. or April 27 at :30 p.m.
Where: Colgan Theater, Northern Virginia Community College Manassas Campus, 6901 Sudley Road, Manassas; Free parking in Lot E
Call: Kathryn O’Sullivan at 703-257-6595
Tickets: $5 at the door

Staff writer Josh Eiserike can be reached at 703-878-8072.