Review: I HATE HAMLET at Theatre Tallahassee
This production runs from May 28th to June 14th!
As the culminating production of Theatre Tallahassee’s 2025-2026 season, I Hate Hamlet delivers a dramatic and comedic exploration of the different definitions of success that actors, or anyone for that matter, can achieve. The supernatural elements of the play serve to further the central character’s quest for personal and professional clarity.
When his career appears to have fallen apart, television actor Andrew Rally moves from California to New York City to find himself and pursue other artistic opportunities. As luck would have it, though Rally initially felt quite the opposite, the apartment he moves into was once inhabited by none other than legendary early-20th century stage and screen actor John Barrymore, who played Hamlet in the early 1920s. When Barrymore’s ghost comes to visit Rally to guide him in his own Shakespearean endeavor, Rally is forced to confront what he wants to gain from his artistic work and to work for what he wants in his personal life, especially concerning his relationship with his girlfriend Deirdre.
Under the direction of Ashley Campbell, I Hate Hamlet is at-once introspective and fun. The chemistry of lead characters Andrew Rally and John Barrymore, portrayed by Andy Digby and Bob Myers respectively, makes the play dynamic in a way that seems effortless from an audience perspective. Digby’s acting choices are well-thought-out and help him succeed in demonstrating the gradual changes of his character who beings the story as a frustrated and hesitant man, on both personal and professional fronts. His scenic counterpart Bob Myers somehow successfully manages to step into the larger-than-life role of John Barrymore using his physicality, voice, and command of the stage by convincingly blending charm and wit with chaos - an altogether unexpected accomplishment.
The supporting characters are not secondary at all due to their players’ performances. Their interpretations elevate those of all of the other actors and make the play even more humorous. Ellen Girvin plays Deirde McDavey and balances the character’s naivety with her strong-willed personality by connecting those qualities to the character’s quirk and her melancholy at different points within the plot. Gianna Delgado adds lightness and spunk to the show that makes her role of Andrew Rally’s realtor, Felicia Dantine, enjoyable and delightful to watch. In his role as Rally’s television producer buddy Gary Peter Lefkowitz, Jimmy Maguire is sure to steal so many laughs with his memorable performance. Maguire makes his character just as endearing as he is cocky. Everyone “steals the show” as the saying goes, but Lenoir Shaver’s flair within her role of Lillian Troy, Rally’s nostalgic and no-nonsense talent agent extraordinaire, makes what could be an easily forgettable character one that the audiences may find themselves wanting to catch up with because of Shaver’s contributions to her character and the plot.
These actors, in addition to the beautiful, immersive set and impressive special effects, come together to make a show that is as hilarious as it is a surprisingly digestible and profound commentary on why people make art. The efforts of the hard-working and talented creatives that are staging this production will make you feel happy you bought a ticket and fortunate to get to enjoy great local theatre.
I Hate Hamlet runs at Theatre Tallahassee from May 28th to June 14th. Tickets can be purchased through the Theatre Tallahassee website.
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