Eisenberg, Ficca Star In I HATE HAMLET At Totem Pole Playhouse, Opens 6/30

I Hate Hamlet, the hilarious Broadway comedy about the theatre and the difficulty of understanding Shakespeare, opens at Totem Pole Playhouse on June 30 with two gentlemen in two very familiar roles. Matthew Eisenberg, a Washington, DC based actor, plays a young television star, Andrew Rally, who is faced with the challenge of performing Shakespeare's most famous and most challenging role, Hamlet. His former acting teacher, Playhouse Artistic Director, Ray Ficca, plays the ghost of John Barrymore who is summoned in the play to guide the young star to the performance of his lifetime. I Hate Hamlet is written by Paul Rudnick.

Eisenberg studied under Ficca at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in Washington, DC. He recalls fondly, "Ray was a very demanding, very funny, and an extremely energetic teacher-much like the Barrymore character he plays." Although Ficca and Eisenberg have become very good friends, they have never acted in a play together. "I immediately thought of Matthew for this role. Just like when he was a student, he brings a fearless energy to the stage that works wonderfully in this comedy," say Ficca.

The play also stars Jenna Sokolowski (You Say Tomatoes), Larry Dahlke (Cotton Patch Gospel), Valerie diLorenzo, and Mary Rausch (Driving Miss Daisy). I Hate Hamlet opens June 30 and runs through July 12 and is sponsored by Franklin County Visitors' Bureau. For tickets and information visit www.TotemPolePlayhouse.org or call the box office at (717) 352-2164.

On Tuesday, June 23 at 7:30 pm, the theatre will show the movie version of Hamlet. If you feel a little intimidated by Shakespeare, then you are not alone. The Playhouse cast & crew will offer a few easy insights on how to understand the fun and wonderment of Shakespeare. Where can you see a movie and eat FREE popcorn for $5.00? Totem Pole Playhouse!

The post show discussion for I Hate Hamlet is Thursday, July 9th following the evening performance. Join the cast & crew for light refreshments and a lively informal chat. Discussions last 10 - 20 minutes and learn the secrets behind the scenes.

Photo: Ray Ficca and Matthew Eisenberg