Site last updated: Thursday, April 9, 2026

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Red Barn Players out to prove 'I Hate Hamlet'

In the Red Barn's “I Hate Hamlet,” a seance seeks to bring back the ghost of John Barrymore. From left are Danielle Jacobson of Portersville, Susan Allardice of Bradford Woods, Chrissy Zuemie of Cranberry Township and Ernesto Mario Sanchez of Pittsburgh.

FRANKLIN TWP, Beaver County — The Red Barn Players will open their 65th season of summer theater on Friday with the comedy, “I Hate Hamlet.”

Written by Paul Rudnick, the show is directed by Nancy Batko of Gibsonia and Jane Lyons of Zelienople and will have eight performances through June 15.

Curtain is at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and June 6-8 and 13-15 at the Red Barn Theatre.

The show centers on a discontented TV actor, Andrew Rally, who has recently received the role of Hamlet in a production to be performed in Central Park.

His life is less than perfect, and he is not at all interested in playing Hamlet, although his girlfriend, Deirdre, is excited about it.

When his agent, Lillian Troy, reminisces about her romance with John Barrymore, the famous actor who once played Hamlet, they decide to hold a séance to bring him back.

Barrymore’s ghost appears and, despite his hatred of Hamlet, Rally accepts acting help from Barrymore, which brings unexpected changes.

The cast of Red Barn’s “I Hate Hamlet” features Danielle Jacobson of Portersville as Deirdre; Chrissy Zuemie of Cranberry Township as Felicia; Ernesto Mario Sanchez of Pittsburgh as Andrew; Susan Allardice of Bradford Woods as Lillian; Neil Keene of Bellevue as Gary; and Eric J. McAnallen of Ellwood City as John Barrymore.

Tickets are $13 and reservations can be made at the Red Barn website, www.redbarnplayers.com.

More in Weekend Entertainment

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS