On October 6th, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Theatre and Dance department premiered their performance of "I Hate Hamlet". The show is about a young television actor named Andrew Rally (played by Dennis Mullikin) who moves from Los Angeles, California to New York City to reluctantly pursue the role of Hamlet at Shakespeare in the Park.

When they first hit the stage, a hesitant Andrew is accompanied and his broker with a heavy New York accent, Felicia (played by Samantha Burkard) who explains that it used to be the apartment of the late -or so we think- greatest portrayer of Hamlet, John Barrymore. They are soon joined by Andy's girlfriend, Deirdre (played by Ashley Brouwer), a young, excitable girl who has sworn herself pure until marriage and agent, Lillian (played by Makenzie Smith) who once had a fling with John Barrymore.

Deirdre gets very excited about this and Felicia suggests, since she claims she can speak to the dead, that they have a seance to try to contact Barrymore. Bukard (Felicia) did and incredible job channeling her inner weird as she tries to channel the spirits, leaving the audience in an endless fit of laughter. After being badgered by all three of ladies about asking Barrymore, Rally stands up and exclaims, "I hate Hamlet!" causing the room to intensly shake and lighting flash, ending their seance.

After the small freak out, Felicia and Lillian file out, leaving Andrew and Deirdre alone. Mullikin (Andrew) perfectly portrays the young man in this day and age where a large thing on his mind is sex. You can see the annoyance and frustration with every tease Brouwer (Deirdre) gives him. After she's had enough, Deirdre turns in for the night leaving Andrew to his thoughts.

In a magical twist, John Barrymore (played by Nick Grischow) shows up in Rally's apartment claiming that he cannot and will not leave until Andrew successfully completes his role as Hamlet. They later get in a sword fight battle where Andrew says that he will play Hamlet and the act ends.

In the second act, Andrew's L.A. friend, Gary (played by Chris James) comes and offers Andrew a TV job that guarentees him $3 million dollars, his opening night of Hamlet happens, and much much more, but I can't give away the ending! The UWW cast was incredible and you could tell how much hard work they put into it.

They're comedic timing was impeccable and it made for an absolutely amazing and hilarious show that left me needing to see it again.