Players Reopens with Comedy, “I Hate Hamlet”

Players of Utica is very excited to announce the reopening of its theatre to the public and the welcoming of audiences to its pre-season production of the comedy, I Hate Hamlet!

The play was originally scheduled for the 2020-2021 Season, but rehearsals were stopped and the theatre doors closed in March 2020 when the COVID-19 restrictions came into effect. Now the actors are ready to resume their roles for a special three-night  run, August 27, 28, and 29 (matinée).

“We are all eager to get back on stage and give audiences some top-notch entertainment after the very trying and stressful seventeen months we’ve all been through,” says director Stephen Wagner. “The actors are keen to perform and we know audiences are again hungry for some great live theatre.”

In I Hate Hamlet, by Paul Rudnick, TV actor Andrew Rally has been cast as Hamlet in a NYC Shakespeare in the Park production, a role he is very reluctant to take on. But he’s prodded by his intimacy-shy girlfriend, a money-obsessed producer, and the ghost of the great John Barrymore  — with hilarious results.

“We know that some people might still be hesitant to come into the theatre,” says Wagner, “so we will also be offering a streaming video version of the play on July 24 and 25, so everyone will have a chance to see the show and outstanding comic performances.”

The cast features Rick Stoodley, Steven Handzel, Alexis
Carey, Mike D. Burke, Marilee Ensign, and Deb Martin.

The theatre will have limited seating (we’re still encouraging some social distancing for the performances), so get your tickets early. To purchase tickets, call 315-724-7624 or go to our website at https://playersofutica.org/order-tickets.