I Hate Hamlet - reviewed by Cate Terwilliger of the Colorado Springs Independent
Lon Chaney Theater, 221 E. Kiowa St.
The wisest counsel regarding the Star Bar Players' production of comes, fittingly, from the prince of Denmark himself: 'They are coming to the play. ... Get you a place."
Indeed, 'twould be a tiny tragedy should you miss the sweetest comedy to grace area stages in many a season. Paul Rudnick's witty tale of a young television star who reluctantly tackles the stage role of Hamlet - with the unwelcome help of legendary actor John Barrymore's ghost - is impeccably executed by director Eve Tilley and her rollicking good acting ensemble.
As the imposing, quick-witted ghost, Julian Bucknall demands the audience's attention, first for his eye-catching codpiece, then for his charmingly roguish tutelage of the insecure Andrew (Ricky Vila-Roger), who rightly suspects he's a hack when it comes to serious acting. But Barrymore, who once lived in the Greenwich Village brownstone now inhabited by Andrew, can't resume his eternal life until he's imparted the tracendent message of playing such a daunting role: 'Tis nobler to risk odious failure in the quest for glory than to squander one's life in successful mediocrity.
The talented Bucknall and a strong supporting cast conjure a happy alchemy. Star Bar veteran Judy McClow Harris exudes a worldly elegance as Lillian, Andrew's matronly agent and, in years past, one of Barrymore's numerous in-the-flesh conquests. Lillian's counterpart is the thoroughly daffy and overly virginal Diedre, who as Andrew's girlfriend lives a richly optimistic fan- tastic life. By turns endearing and laughable, Jane Fromme - a dramatic standout in Smokebrush Center's To Kill a Mockingbird - here gives a brilliantly oblivious comedic performance.
While Fromme deftly avoids caricaturing what could be a one-dimensional role, A. Lynne Bell and David Hastings happily milk their stereotypical characters for all they're worth. As the wise-cracking Jewish real-estate broker/psychic who obtains Barrymore's old digs, Bell infuses her scenes with good humor. And Hastings shines as the frenetic, superficial producer trying to lure Andrew back to a lucrative, unchallenging television career.
It's all performed on a set that gives impressive attention to the historical truth of Barrymore's turn-of-the-century apartment, from its streaked Chinese-gold walls to its ample liquor supply. (Intriguing program notes include details about the apartment, as well as a picture of the intense actor, who died in 1942. If you don't read the notes, you won't understand the apple.)
This is much ado about something. Get you a place.
I Hate Hamlet completes its run at the Lon Chaney Theater, 221 E. Kiowa St,, with 8p.m. shows Friday and Saturday and a 2p.m. matinnee Sunday. Tickets are $10 ($9 for students, seniors and military). Call 573-7411.