“I Hate Hamlet,” the story of an actor in career limbo, will kick off the 2011-12 University Theatre Mainstage season at Western Carolina University.
Show dates for “I Hate Hamlet” are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 5-8, in WCU’s Hoey Auditorium.
Written in 1991 by Paul Rudnick, “I Hate Hamlet” will be directed by Claire Eye, a faculty member in the School of Stage and Screen.
The play tells the story of a young television star, Andrew Rally, who finds his career at a standstill when his series is canceled. After moving to New York City, he is offered the dream role of Hamlet on stage. After meeting his drunken ghost roommate, John Barrymore, the legendary actor known for his groundbreaking portrayal of Hamlet, his life quickly becomes more complicated.
The play stars junior Alexander Volpi of Maysville as Rally and junior Jordan Snead of Hillsborough as Barrymore.
Dr. Brent Kinser, Director of the Literature program at WCU, is looking forward to the performance.
“The more Shakespeare the better, even when expressed in such a sarcastic mood,” said Kinser.
Adult tickets for the show can be purchased for $15. Students, faculty, staff and senior tickets are available for $10. Student tickets can be purchased in advance for $7.
For tickets, call the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center box office at 828-227-2479 or go online to bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.
Next up for Mainstage is the musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” running Nov. 10-13.
