I HATE HAMLET Opens Melodrama’s 2010 Season, 1/21

The delightful comedy /I Hate Hamlet/ is set to open the Great American Melodrama's 2010 season on January 21.

This hilarious play by Paul Rudnick is the story of Andrew Rally (George Walker), a recently unemployed television actor who has moved to New York City and been given the chance to play Hamlet in Central Park. Trouble is, Andrew hates Shakespeare. But then an unexpected séance, led by real estate agent Felicia Dantine (Jacqueline Hildebrand), brings back the ghost of one of the greatest Hamlets of all time, John Barrymore (Billy Breed), who is determined to convince Andrew to accept the role. Adding encouragement are Andrew's girlfriend Deirdre (Megan C.C. Walker), who is in love with all things poetic, and his agent, Lillian Troy (Bree Murphy), who once had a brief romance with Barrymore. But when Hollywood dealmaker Gary Lefkowitz (Chuck McLane) arrives with an offer for A New Television series, Andrew faces the ultimate question - TV or not TV? The laughs are non-stop as Andrew wrestles with his conscience, Barrymore, and his sword in this comedy-romance called "unapologetically silly and at times hilarious" by the New York Times. /I Hate Hamlet /is directed by Erik Stein, who last year directed the Melodrama's Popular Productions of /Man with the Pointed Toes /and /The Nerd/. Set design is by Gary Adams, and costume design is by Jim Tanner. The Melodrama has rated this play PG for some mature situations.

Following /I Hate Hamlet /at each performance is the Melodrama's famous and unique Vaudeville Revue. Director Eric Hoit, musical director JorDan Richardson and choreographer Michael Jenkinson have put together a hilarious look at how technology has changed mankind in the /Technology 2.0 Vaudeville Revue/. Among the highlights are a tap-dancing Morse code operator, a comedic look at what might have happened moments after Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, an unexpected interaction with a GPS, and a hilarious musical parody called /Web Site Story/. It's a song, dance and comedy-filled feast that you won't want to miss!__

Performances are Thursdays at 7 pm, Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 4:30 and 8:30 pm, and Sundays at 6 pm. (On Thursday February 4 a 2 pm matinee replaces the 7 pm performance.) The Melodrama's in-house snack bar features great food and drinks, served before the show and during intermissions. Tickets are $18 to $22, with discount given for seniors, students, children and groups. For more information or to make reservations, call the Melodrama Box Office at 805-489-2499. The Great American Melodrama is located on Highway 1 in Oceano, just three miles south of Pismo Beach. The Melodrama has been providing professional family entertainment on the Central Coast since 1975. Visit their website at www.americanmelodrama.com.