Hamlet in Bed
About the show
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater presents a twisty and darkly comic story about mothers and sons: a neurotic actor tracks down a woman who may be his real mother. More…
Michael is a neurotic actor and adoptee obsessed with two things - finding his real mother, and playing the famous Gloomy Dane. His twin fixations collide when he tracks down Anna, a reclusive former actress-turned-barfly. Gripped by the notion that she might be his actual birth-mother, he first stalks her from a distance, then lures her into a noirish production of Hamlet playing the role of the queen, his mother. 'Hamlet in Bed' is a darkly comic and poignant story about mothers and sons, about what it means to live a life in the theatre, both a generation ago and now, and about families - the ones we’re born into, and the ones we find along the way.
Member Reviews (15)
MEMBERS SAY:
See it if you are fascinated by actors. This psychological drama about Hamlet and Gertrude is ambitious, but doesn't fully deliver.
Don't see it if you get restless. I found myself nodding off.
See it if you are a fan of either actor.
Don't see it if you easily tire of monologues.
See it if Like intelligent smart plays
Don't see it if Dislike the above
See it if you're a Hamlet fan and want to see a more modern take. Two actors; male outshone the woman. If LONG monologues and shouting are your thing.
Don't see it if the smell of those herbal cigarette things bothers you (it's intense). if you don't want experimental theater. not a must-see at all.
See it if you want to see a modern take on Hamlet that illuminates the text. Two-hander with great leads. A vision of a fictional disreputable NYC.
Don't see it if you can't go along with a lot of self-indulgence from the actor-playwright. I found it amusing. Others might find it pretentious.
See it if love Hamlet in any form and are intrigued by the many interpretations. If you are willing to extend your thinking about Hamlet. Fresh look.
Don't see it if a traditionalist in regards to Shakespeare, if you want only the sacred text.
See it if you want to see some refreshing experimental theatre with a small cast and a phenomenal male lead. Plus, the production quality is amazing.
Don't see it if you want something light. The show is dark and often heavy. The female lead is a little weak and has been done before--I blame the script.
See it if You enjoy solid acting and uncomfortable story-line situations.
Don't see it if You are looking for traditional theatre. This is odd, and special.
See it if You are interested either in the feisty and focussed actress Annette O'Toole or in the Hamlet closet scene as the story's springboard
Don't see it if You expect the actor-author to newly illuminate anything particularly inspiring about Hamlet, character or play.
See it if you love to see new "re-tellings" of Shakespeare classics and enjoy great acting and absorbing writing.
Don't see it if you are the theatre-goer who procrastinates and then is sorry to have missed an engaging show.
See it if you know the text of Hamlet reasonably well. This play brilliantly transposes two key acts of Hamlet into a parallel plot set NOW.
Don't see it if you don't know or like Hamlet.OR you don't like metatheatre (theatre about theatre).
See it if You like witty lines built off of old phrasings.
Don't see it if Not a fan of some cliches.
See it if You like great performances
Don't see it if Like
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