Playhouse on Park, West Hartford CT
through March 13, 2016
by Barbara Stroup
 |
| Photo By Rich wagner |
Springfield area theatergoers would be well advised to
discover the treasures presented at Playhouse on Park, a mere 30-minute drive
away, but light years closer to Broadway standards, where this play was first
presented. Following Park’s success of “The Chosen,” a serious drama, this
young and vibrant theatre presents the comedy “I Hate Hamlet.”
The play is superficially focused on the career of Andrew,
who is both new to the city and to an apartment previously owned by a famed
Hamlet actOR. John Barrymore’s ghost does not hesitate to appear when summoned
by a frivolous séance led by Andrew’s real estate agent, Felicia. Outrageously
garbed and speaking with exaggerated Brooklyn style, Julia Hochner does a fine
comedic job in the role.
Ownership of the stage (and the entire play), however, goes
to Ezra Barnes as Barrymore. His interpretation is perfection – just grand and
sweeping enough, with the right amount of schmaltz or tender sensitivity when
needed, as he expounds on his life and its failures, his acting, the craft, the
stage, and on art itself. It is a role that could make a buffoon of the
Barrymore ghost character; Barnes saves that from happening. He is so appealing
that some audience members would be happy to watch him just pushing a cart down
a grocery store aisle.
Barnes gets serious competition, however, from David Lanson
(as Andrew’s Hollywood-style pal) who even received spontaneous applause after
his appearance in Act I – this actor knows how to build a character quickly. As
Andrew’s fiancé Deirdre, Susan Slotoroff is engaging and almost always in
motion, sometimes distractingly so.
The set is a bit confusing: draping is overdone, the table
is mundane, and if Andy likes modern, why did he decorate in Victorian style?
Some reflectors on the white lamps might help to reduce the brightness shining
into eyes on the far side of the theatre.
“I Hate Hamlet” is a well-written play by an expert
playwright; direction in this production is tight with taut pacing. This
presentation goes down as another success by Playhouse on Park.
