Hamlet 2001

Dana Marschz is a former alcoholic and unsuccessful actor who has settled into the role of a high school drama teacher in the sunny locale of Tucson, Arizona. Despite his ambition to be an inspiring mentor, he finds himself limited to just two enthusiastic students, Rand Posin and Epiphany Sellars. His attempts at staging school plays have been met with lackluster reception, often consisting of lackadaisical adaptations of well-known Hollywood films, with his latest effort being an uninspired rendition of Erin Brockovich. The start of a new term brings a wave of reluctant students into his classroom, drafted into the arts program due to the unfortunate budget cuts that have decimated the arts electives. These new students approach drama class with skepticism and apathy, leading to friction between Dana and Octavio, an assertive newcomer.

A terrible shock hits Dana when Principal Rocker drops the bombshell that the drama program will be discontinued at semester’s end. In a bid to invigorate his students and create something truly original, Dana takes on the ambitious task of writing and directing a sequel to Hamlet. This outrageous piece involves elements of time travel aimed at preventing the tragic fates of its characters, along with provocative new themes including a character appearance by Jesus Christ himself, complete with a catchy song-and-dance number titled “Rock Me Sexy Jesus.” Although initially resistant, the students gradually embrace the project; however, tensions rise when Rand, cast as a bi-curious Laertes, feels overshadowed by Octavio’s impressive portrayal of Hamlet. Feeling disillusioned, Rand storms out of the drama group and hands over a copy of the play’s script to Principal Rocker, prompting her to pressure Dana to halt the production.

As if the situation couldn’t worsen, Dana is devastated when his wife, Brie, leaves him for their bland but fertile boarder, Gary, their strategy to make ends meet only highlighting Dana’s own infertility. Overwhelmed by despair, he succumbs to his vices and considers abandoning the play altogether. Fortunately, his dedicated students rally around him, providing a vacant warehouse and rave venue for the show, alongside technical support and security sourced from the high school football and wrestling teams. In an unexpected twist, the play’s cancellation turns into a broader civil liberties issue, championed by the zealous ACLU activist Cricket Feldstein. This surge of support culminates in a sold-out debut, complete with a high-profile critic from The New York Times in attendance. Rand, recognizing the importance of the production, humbly returns to the ensemble, earning his spot back as Laertes.

When the much-anticipated play finally takes center stage, it initially garners mixed reviews due to its audacious content and the unconventional retelling of the classic narrative. In keeping with the film’s running gag, the storyline often circles back to the characters’ desire to reconcile their troubled patrilineal relationships, culminating in a heartwarming moment where both Hamlet and Jesus forgive their fathers for past grievances. Amidst the chaos, the audience is divided, with protestors making their voices heard on opening night; nevertheless, the performance ultimately captures the hearts of many. As the lights shimmer backstage, Dana and his beloved actress, Elisabeth Shue, now romantically intertwined, gather with the students to gear up for the Broadway debut of their groundbreaking show, showcasing their one-of-a-kind journey of creativity, resilience, and unexpected camaraderie.