TO BE OR NOT TO BE…
IN SHOWBIZ

A lively revival finds humor and
heart in the actor’s eternal struggle

Anyone who pursues the arts as a career or avocation knows they’re not well understood by the greater population. The satisfaction derived from being a creative and the commitment required to excel in a specific art form are best understood by those who share that attraction and conviction. That truth is one reason director Zach Kunde wanted to mount a production of Paul Rudnick’s comically discerning I Hate Hamlet, a humorous parody of the acting profession. His current staging with the Saint Sebastian Players at St. Bonaventure on Diversey manages to be revealing, making it a worthwhile destination for its insights alone.

In this contemporary tale, a young actor, Andrew Rally, has just been given the opportunity many can only dream of: to play Hamlet at an outdoor festival in New York, a role and setting both considered career pinnacles. Benjamin Chalex gives Rally a trepidatious and naïve quality. He knows it’s a prize opportunity, but he is terrified he will fail. Sidelining his career as a rising and well-paid television actor in Hollywood, he relocates to New York and takes up residence in an apartment with an auspicious past. Renowned Shakespearean actor and Golden Age screen idol John Barrymore, deceased for decades, once lived there. And, as it turns out, still does.

Joining Rally on this dubious adventure is his girlfriend, Deirdre (Emma Parsons). Airy and enthusiastic, she is thrilled that her boyfriend is stretching himself artistically and supports him wholeheartedly. Oddly, despite their being a vibrant young Los Angeles couple in the early 1990s, Deirdre insists they not have intimate relations until they are engaged. Their interactions around that decision remain consistently amusing.

SSP’s revival boasts several highlights, chief among them Jered Becker as the legendary Barrymore. Rudnick’s wit is channeled heavily through this character, and Becker proves more than capable of delivering it with flair. When Barrymore’s ghost reveals himself to the reluctant would-be Hamlet, the play springs fully to life.

The playwright’s humor makes the exchanges between past and present Hamlets engaging and relatable, offering insight into the fears and challenges faced by those who take the stage. As the light farce unfolds, it also hints at what it takes to confront and overcome those obstacles.

A bit of the sparring between the seasoned Barrymore and the hesitant Rally becomes literal when swords are drawn. Stage combat choreographer Paul Chakrin, along with Kunde’s direction, orchestrates an effective demonstration of the skills actors must master to appear convincing in live performance. The saber clashes add tension and a welcome jolt of excitement.

Ellen Shaw brings presence and authority to the role of Lillian Troy, a seasoned stage veteran and former Barrymore lover. Watching her coolly reminisce with Barrymore about their romantic past provides a moment of theatrical enchantment and helps offset a slight lull in parts of the first act.

Jake Schwingshakl adds further color as Rally’s agent, Gary Lefkowitz. Not exactly shady, but certainly self-serving, he chases financial gain with gusto. Fast-talking and glib, he lands many of the play’s sharper lines. Abigail Jimenez contributes similar comic energy in the second act as the somewhat scatterbrained realtor.

A perceptive glimpse behind the curtain, I Hate Hamlet emerges as a touching, mirthful, and occasionally audacious love note to the people who create the magic of live theater.

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photos by Paul Chakrin

I Hate Hamlet
Saint Sebastian Players
St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey Parkway in Chicago
ends on May 17, 2026
for tickets, visit SSP

for more shows, visit Theatre in Chicago

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