Bard Characters Live on in Musical Sequel "Hamlet 2," at Sundance

By Ernio Hernandez
January 2, 2008

William Shakespeare's Hamlet gets a sequel — and a musical one, to boot — in "Hamlet 2," a new addition to the Sundance Film Festival lineup.

The film will make its world premiere Jan. 21 as part of the non-competition Premieres program. (Further screenings are slated for Jan. 24 and 25.) The Park City, UT, independent film festival runs Jan. 17-27.

Andrew Fleming directs his and Pam Brady's script for the film, which stars Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, Elizabeth Shue, Amy Poehler, David Arquette and Melonie Diaz.

"In this rambunctious comedy," reads a film synopis, "a high school drama teacher injects love and passion for theatre into his students by creating a musical sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet." The teacher bases the Bard followup on the conceit that nobody dies in the original play.

Among other films of note to theatre fans include Craig Lucas' "Birds of America," Martin McDonagh's "In Bruges" (which he also penned), Kenny Leon's "Raisin in the Sun," Stanley Tucci's "Blind Date," Terry Kinney's "Diminished Capacity" (starring stage stars Matthew Broderick, Alan Alda, Dylan Baker) and Alan Ball's "Towelhead." William H. Macy co-wrote the screenplay for "The Deal" (with director Steven Schachter).

For more information visit sundance.org/festival.