Synopsis

     Andrew Rally seems to have it all: Celebrity and acclaim from his starring role in a hit television series; a rich, beautiful girlfriend; a glamorous, devoted agent; the perfect New York apartment; and the chance to play Hamlet in Central Park. There are, however, a couple of glitches in paradise. Andrew's series has been canceled; his girlfriend is clinging to her virginity with unyielding conviction, and he has no desire to play Hamlet. During her initial visit to the apartment, Andrew's agent reminisces about her brief romance with John Barrymore many years ago. This prompts the real estate agent to stage a séance to summon his ghost. From the moment Barrymore returns, dressed in high Shakespearean garb, Andrew's life is no longer his own. Barrymore, fortified by champagne and ego, presses Andrew to accept the Shakespearean role and fulfill his actor's destiny. The action becomes more hilarious with the entrance of Andre's deal-making friend from L.A., spouting the laid-back hype of the Coast and offering Andrew a fabulous new TV deal worth millions of dollars. The laughs are non-stop as Andrew wrestles with his conscience, Barrymore, his sword, and the fact that he fails as Hamlet in Central Park.

The Cast
Felicia Dantine	Sylvia Newel
Andrew Rally	Marty Wallin
Deirdre McDavey	Becca Ostrom
Lillian Troy	Deb Heller
John BarryMore	Bruce Kurtz
Gary Peter Lefkowitz	Ryan Strampe

Act One

Scene 1 - The Present.

-Fifteen Minute Intermission-

Act Two

From the Director . . . Welcome to our new season! As I begin my final year on the board of the Calumet Players, I need to tell you ass that your community theater is alive and well.  This show is a perfect indication - since our producer, two actors and many backstage helpers can claim this as their first show with us. Many thanks are owed to the community for helping us find "our legs." We now have season tickets of our own! Thanks to SMAHC (again) for their grant. And thanks, most of all, to the rest of the Calumet Players.  Without your diligence these shows would simply not get done.  You may all be very proud of your work...as your community is much the better for your efforts.

Production Crew

Directors	Bruce Kurtz, JaNeil Peschon
Producer	Pat Paverud
Lighting	Ethan Heller
Sound	Kevin Boese
Costumes	Spencer Community Theater, Lois Wentzel, and the Cast
Makeup	Becky Thielsen, Sandi Lanie
Set Construction	JaNeil Peschon, Dan Wildermuth, Mike Ziebarth, Jaren Ziebarth, and the Cast
Stage Crew	Brian Murphy, Dan Wildermuth
Publicity	Karin Denison, JaNeil Peschon, Marty Wallin, Progress Inc.
Ticket Handling	Boundles Ideas, Barb Blinsmon, Laurie Ness, Marge Pankonen, Dee Runge

From the Calumet Players . . .

The Calumet Players welcome you to their second full season of giving community theater at the Pipestone Performing Arts Center - and thank you for continuing your support of the arts in Southwest Minnesota. This year, in addition to the comedy I Hate Hamlet, we are pleased to bring you two dramas - one in the homespun musical melodies of Quilters (February), and another in the moving post World War II family epic All My Sons (June). Actors and behind-the-scenes volunteers for both of these productions will soon be needed - so watch for notices and contact a Calumet Players board member if you are interested in joining us.

With the new season comes a number of changes with our box office and ticket prices.  Next-door neighbor Boundles Ideas now serves as the advance ticket sales handler - and tickets for both remaining shows will be available there (during business hours) approximately two weeks prior to each opening night performance (Feb. 13 and June 19). If you have any questions prior to those dates, feel free to call our new box office number and leave a message.

And Sunday matinees are now available to seniors for a one-dollar discount off the regular adult price of $8. Watch also for more special promotions throughout the year that will allow additional discounts on tickets.  Thank you again for your attendance today. Enjoy the show . . . we look forward to seeing you again!

The Calumet Players Board of Directors - 1997

Bruce Kurtz - President; Marty Wallin - Vice President; Karin Denison - Secretary; JaNeil Peschon - treasurer; Deborah Heller, Grace Miersma, Laurie Ness, Becky Thielsen and Judy Winter - Directors.

Thanks to . . .

...The Ushers of the Pipestone Performing Arts Center; Pipestone Interiors; the Pipestone-Jasper High School theater department and Monk's Secondhand for loaning props; Mylan Ray for recording the "commercial"; KLOH-KISD Radio, Progress Inc. and the Pipestone County Star for Publicity; Diane Bucher and Boundles Ideas for serving as our new ticket "box office"; all of our new backstage and "out-front" volunteers who made everything possible; Kathy Fuller for dance steps; Brian Downer of SCA in Sioux Falls for fencing moves; Dave Rambow; Katrina Fehringer, Dennis Hansen and Jim Hintermeister; and everyone who brought food and gift items to benefit the Golden K Christmas Gift Program.

This production is made possible by a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts and Humanities Council (SMAHC), with funds appropriated by the state legislature. It is produced with special arrangement from Dramatists Play Service, New York.