Elgin Theatre Company cast feels the love for comedy 'I Hate Hamlet'

"I Hate Hamlet" is a laugh-riot comedic play by Paul Rudnick. The play was originally produced on Broadway in 1991 to rave reviews and now has become a cash cow for theaters around the country - as long as it has the right cast.

Rikki Lee Travolta will head the cast of Elgin Theatre Company's mounting of the comedy opening Friday, Sept. 30, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., eighth floor, Elgin. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 9. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for students and seniors. For information or reservations, email tickets@inil.com, call (847) 741-0532 or visit www.elgin-theatre.org.

Under the direction of Regina Belt-Daniels, Travolta will star as Andrew Rally - a famous but not terribly talented TV heartthrob who is cast in the title role of Shakespeare in the Park's "Hamlet."

To aid the television star in his quest to play Hamlet, the ghost of John Barrymore - regarded in many circles as the greatest Hamlet of all time - comes back from the dead to coach him. What ensues is absolute hilarity.

A West Coast native, Travolta was first brought to Chicago to headline "Tony n' Tina's Wedding." Travolta has appeared in film and TV, including "The Lurker" opposite Scout Taylor-Compton and Domenica Cameron Scorsese, "Crime Fiction" opposite Christian Stolte ("Chicago Fire"), director Nikki Huston's "Fear Frenzy!," the series "Upstaged," and the upcoming Ben Kurstin-helmed film "The Sleight."

"The fact is that if you put Rikki Lee Travolta's name on the marquee, tickets immediately start to sell. He has a reputation of excellence," notes Belt-Daniels. "And, he's a joy to work with."

Co-starring in the role of Barrymore is David Gasior, who has all the prerequisites to play the legendary star - a handsome face, great dramatic skills, and impeccable comic timing.

Trace Gamache plays Andrew's virginal girlfriend Diedre. The multitalented Gamache was recently nominated for a Lou Award for her performance as Inspector Goring in last year's Elgin Theatre Company production of "The Game's Afoot."

Rounding out the cast are Alison Thomas Hage as Andrew's agent Lilian, Karen Mayberry Greuel as real estate agent and amateur psychic Felicia Dantine, and Travis Greuel as Hollywood producer Gary Peter Lefkowitz.

"I am simply honored to be included in a cast with such talented actors," says Travolta. "This is a show in which there are many chances for each character to shine, and the wonderful actors in this mounting rise to the challenge in every way."

Also on the Elgin Theatre Company production team are producer Richard Greiger, stage manager Matt Hordyke, fight choreographer Deb Swinford, set construction foreman Steve Connell, scenic painter Barry Norton, costumer Trudie Dreyer, and sign language interpreter Andrew Ross,

Sunday performances are sign acted for the deaf and hard of hearing.

For the safety of other audience members, as well as that of the actors, those attending the production must show proof of vaccination or negative COVID test, and masks must be worn in the audience at all times.