Photo Flash: Bickford Theatre's I HATE HAMLET

A capacity Opening Night crowd roared with laughter as the Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, brought its 16th Season to a swash-buckling end with Paul Rudnick's comedy hit, I Hate Hamlet, running through May 22, 2011.

Actor Andrew Rally seems to have it all: fame from his starring role in a hit TV series, a rich, beautiful girlfriend, the perfect New York apartment, and the chance to play the greatest role of all time--Hamlet in Central Park! There are, however, a couple of glitches in paradise: Andrew's series has been cancelled, his 29-year-old girlfriend is clinging to her virginity, and he absolutely hates Hamlet!

A botched séance produces the ghost of the greatest of all Hamlets: theatre legend John Barrymore. Fortified by champagne, ego, and a codpiece, he tries to convince Andrew to accept the part and fulfill his actor's destiny. The laughs come fast and furious as Andrew wrestles with his conscience, Barrymore, his sword, and his own codpiece in this Drama Desk and Tony Award-nominated screwball comedy, full of big laughs, romantic entanglements and even a duel!

Whether you're a die-hard Shakespeare lover or you've never understood a word he's written,
you'll have a rollicking good time at I Hate Hamlet. "...hilarious... affectionately amusing about the theatre..." - The New York Times.

I Hate Hamlet stars Rick Delaney as John Barrymore, Andrew Rein as Andrew Rally, Kathleen Huber as Lillian Troy, Katrina Ferguson as Felicia Dantine, Madeline Orton as Deirdre McDavey, and Gary Martins as Gary Peter Lefkowitz.

Bickford Theatre Artistic Director, Eric Hafen, directs, with Set Design by Bill Motyka, Costume Design by Fran Harrison, Lighting Design by Chesapeake Westveer, Sound Design by Ric McAllister, and Fight Direction by Jacqueline Holloway. Heather Sehrt serves as Prop Mistress, and Yumi Matsuura serves as Production Stage Manager.

Performances of I Hate Hamlet are Thursday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 12 and May 19, at 2 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. A Special "SchoolTime" Performance will be offered on Thursday, May 19, at 10 a.m. There are no performances on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14.

On Sunday, May 15, the Bickford Theatre and the Morris Museum will be participating in "BE OUR GUEST," as part of media Day for National Tourism Week. With a donation of canned goods for the Interfaith Food Pantry, the Museum will be offering free admission and the Bickford Theatre will be offering Buy 1/Get 1 Free tickets to I Hate Hamlet.

Reserved seats are $40 for General Public, $36 for Senior Citizens, $33 for Museum and Guild Members, and $20 for Students (18 or under or with valid college ID). To purchase tickets or for further information, please contact the Bickford Theatre Box Office at 973.971.3706 or visit us 24/7 at www.bickfordtheatre.org.

About The Bickford...
The Bickford Theatre (Eric Hafen, Artistic Director; Stephen Kantrowitz, Asst. Artistic Director) is a professional theatre that produces and presents year-round entertainment, including a Main Stage Series, two Children's Theatre series, and a Jazz Showcase. The theatre is a Senior Member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, a not-for-profit organization of 30 professional theatres throughout the state, and works in conjunction with Actors' Equity Association (AEA) and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC). From its beginnings in 1994 to the present, tens of thousands of theatergoers from across the tri-state area have enjoyed the Bickford Theatre's many entertaining and diversified offerings in theatre, music and dance.

The Bickford Theatre is conveniently located within the Morris Museum and offers free parking and full accessibility. Box Office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-up hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.