John Barrymore News

A young and successful television actor relocates to New York, where he rents a marvelous, gothic apartment. With his television career in limbo, the actor is offered the opportunity to play Hamlet onstage, but there's one problem: He hates Hamlet. His dilemma deepens with the entrance of John Barrymore's ghost, who arrives intoxicated and in full costume to the apartment that once was his.

We all need a good laugh now-a-days and Theatre Three's production of Paul Rudnick's play I Hate Hamlet certainly delivers. The brilliant cast coupled with Mary Powers' clever direction brings roars of laughter throughout the production. Originally on Broadway in 1991, not without controversy, this incarnation runs through February 3rd at the Port Jefferson venue.

It's time to travel back to the 1930s for a rollicking good time on the rails as Theater To Go presents Ken Ludwig's Twentieth Century at Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre. A train trip from Chicago to New York City has lots riding on it including the future of a legendary producer and his Broadway show. Show times for this comedy classic are Fridays, Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.

Steve Abrams and Kicky Productions announce that a brand new cabaret-concert, Lettin' the Good Times Roll featuring the dynamic duo, E. Faye Butler, Felicia P. Fields and a host of renowned musicians in a very special limited engagement for 9 performances at The Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.

Steve Abrams and Kicky Productions announce that a brand new cabaret-concert, Lettin' the Good Times Roll featuring the dynamic duo, E. Faye Butler, Felicia P. Fields and a host of renowned musicians in a very special limited engagement for 9 performances at The Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.

I HATE HAMLET is a 1991 comedy by Paul Rudnick, who is best known as the author of Jeffrey and The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told. It is a supernatural fantasy inspired by the time when the playwright was living in an apartment in New York that was John Barrymore's old apartment. The play is a throwback to those classic fantasy comedies like Arsenic and Old Lace, Goodbye Charlie and Bell, Book and Candle. There's no real deep message here, just witty and fun escapist entertainment.

Steve Abrams and Kicky Productions announce that a brand new cabaret-concert, Lettin' the Good Times Roll featuring the dynamic duo, E. Faye Butler, Felicia P. Fields and a host of renowned musicians in a very special limited engagement for 9 performances at The Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.

What draws 1920s movie star John Barrymore to sail his ship into the wilderness of Glacier Bay? Who is the couple he keeps returning to visit, and how are their lives intertwined? Dreaming Glacier Bay is a new play based on true events by Juneau playwright Joel Bennett. -- See Dreaming Glacier Bay October 24 to November 18 at Perseverance Theatre.

An up-and-coming young television star is offered every actor's dream role: playing Hamlet onstage. There's just one complication... he HATES Hamlet. With the return of John Barrymore's ghost, intoxicated and in full costume to reclaim his infamous role, the two embark on a wildly funny duel over women, art, success, duty, television, and yes, even the apartment where Barrymore once lived!

The life of Katherine Hepburn is brilliantly presented in a one woman show that captivates the audience making us feel as if we are in the presence of the real Katherine Hepburn, both in the first act set in 1938 and in the second act set in 1983.

An up-and-coming young television star is offered every actor's dream role: playing Hamlet onstage. There's just one complication... he HATES Hamlet. With the return of John Barrymore's ghost, intoxicated and in full costume to reclaim his infamous role, the two embark on a wildly funny duel over women, art, success, duty, television, and yes, even the apartment where Barrymore once lived!

Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2017-2018 season with the Pulitzer-winning play The Gin Game written by D.L. Coburn, featuring Jeff Award winners Paula Scrofano and John Reeger, and directed by Ross Lehman.

For as long as there have been bars in New York City, writers have congregated in their local watering holes to fight writer's block, find inspiration, and mostly, to drink. In this visual and historical celebration of New York's spirited literary past, Delia Cabe offers a fascinating field guide to all the best writerly taverns and bookish watering holes in New York City.

The past is an inviting but dangerous place. When we are haunted by the ghosts of our past, we attribute their torment to the deeds they've left undone. Benevolent or otherwise, these spirits employ the living to serve in their endeavor for rest... or unrest.

Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2017-2018 season with the Pulitzer-winning play The Gin Game written by D.L. Coburn, featuring Jeff Award winners Paula Scrofano and John Reeger, and directed by Ross Lehman.

The Cleveland Orchestra announces a three-concert At the Movies series for the 2017-18 season.  Following the popularity of film screenings with live music during the past six seasons, the Orchestra continues the tradition with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, North by Northwest Live, and DISNEY IN CONCERT: Tim Burton's The Nightmare before Christmas.  All three movies will be projected on a giant screen above the Severance Hall stage, with music performed live.  At the Movies series subscriptions are available now for purchase through the Severance Hall Ticket Office, online at clevelandorchestra.com, or by calling Cleveland Orchestra Ticket Services at 216-231-1111 or 1-800-686-1141.

Legendary actor of stage and screen.  Bawdy womanizer with ex-wives to spare.  Professional alcoholic.  John Stevens brings the life of an aging John Barrymore front and center in this one man show filled with ribald humor, stories - and parodies - of everyone he's ever met, verbal sparring with his exasperated prompter, and Shakespeare that just won't stick.

Noel Coward was 39 years old when he played the lead role of Garry Essendine, a famous actor fearing for the future of his career as he enters middle age, in the premiere production of his rollickingly good comedy, PRESENT LAUGHTER. In order for that scenario to be believable today, you'd have to cast a woman in the role.

Present Laughter, starring Academy Award and two-time Tony Award winner Kevin Kline in his triumphant return to Broadway, opens tonight at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Directed by Tony Award nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel.

Imagine you've been cast as every actor's dream role - Hamlet in Shakespeare in the Park. Then imagine as you're deciding whether or not to take the role, the ghost of the best Hamlet of all time - John Barrymore - starts haunting you. That's the premise of Dundalk Community Theatre's delightful production of I HATE HAMLET. For lovers of Shakespeare, you can't go wrong with seeing this play. Contrary to its title, the show is basically a love letter to the Bard.