Spring Break
Hamlet lives again
'Hamlet 2' offensive, yet funny and entertaining.
By: Stephanie Rancier
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Features
Should freedom of speech really be a right given to every American? Think about it. You come across weird, ignorant people every day that you wouldn't want to give the time of day to, let alone free speech. According to the Bill of Rights, a half-crazed, dress-clad man should be able to say what he wants, even if it means putting on a play in which high schoolers simulate sexual acts.
Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) is a former wannabe actor turned high school drama teacher. Marschz thinks of himself as a struggling artist fighting the evil ways of society in the form of a childish theater reviewer. After learning that the school district he works for has decided to close the drama program because of a lack of interest and funds, Marschz decides to save the program by producing something truly unique and awe-inspiring.
What Marschz doesn't know is that his life is about to flip upside-down. On his way to class one day, Marschz nearly faints when he sees the significant growth of his drama class's attendance. Apparently, the minority population of the school thought it would be an easy credit to add to their transcripts. Unfortunately for Marschz, the problems between the new, blasé students and his loyal duo of drama freaks create even more pressure to save the drama club.
On top of the typical high school drama insanity, Marschz's personal life takes a turn-he discovers he may be infertile. Brie (Catherine Keener), his wife, proceeds to make Marschz wear dresses and loose-fitting clothing to encourage his swimmers to cross the finish line. Marschz also suffers a bout of dreaded writer's block, stalling him from creating the drama club's saving masterpiece.
Through sheer perseverance and a bit of insanity, Marschz pushes through his writer's block to create a truly unique script - 'Hamlet 2.' I know what you're thinking, "But doesn't everyone at the end of Hamlet die?" Marschz decides to add an element of surprise in the form of a time machine. With the time machine, Prince Hamlet can go back in time, meet Jesus and learn to forgive his father.
Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) is a former wannabe actor turned high school drama teacher. Marschz thinks of himself as a struggling artist fighting the evil ways of society in the form of a childish theater reviewer. After learning that the school district he works for has decided to close the drama program because of a lack of interest and funds, Marschz decides to save the program by producing something truly unique and awe-inspiring.
What Marschz doesn't know is that his life is about to flip upside-down. On his way to class one day, Marschz nearly faints when he sees the significant growth of his drama class's attendance. Apparently, the minority population of the school thought it would be an easy credit to add to their transcripts. Unfortunately for Marschz, the problems between the new, blasé students and his loyal duo of drama freaks create even more pressure to save the drama club.
On top of the typical high school drama insanity, Marschz's personal life takes a turn-he discovers he may be infertile. Brie (Catherine Keener), his wife, proceeds to make Marschz wear dresses and loose-fitting clothing to encourage his swimmers to cross the finish line. Marschz also suffers a bout of dreaded writer's block, stalling him from creating the drama club's saving masterpiece.
Through sheer perseverance and a bit of insanity, Marschz pushes through his writer's block to create a truly unique script - 'Hamlet 2.' I know what you're thinking, "But doesn't everyone at the end of Hamlet die?" Marschz decides to add an element of surprise in the form of a time machine. With the time machine, Prince Hamlet can go back in time, meet Jesus and learn to forgive his father.
Be sure to include your name, major, and class year. Submissions without this information are subject to deletion.
By submitting a comment, you agree to thebatt.com's Terms of Use.
You may also send a Mail Call to The Battalion at mailcall@thebatt.com