GAY HAMLET Developmental Reading

GAY HAMLET, a new play by Riley Elton McCarthy, will have a developmental reading at St. Luke’s Theatre on February 23rd, 2026 at 7:30PM. Directed by Emilio Ramos (MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, PARADE), the play features original music by McCarthy and Eliana Shira Rubin. This reading is co-produced by international theatre company METHOD IN MADNESS CO. and New York-based CHORUS GIRL PRODUCTIONS.

The comedy follows a lovesick Horatio returning home to Copenhagen... where he finds his childhood crush still emo, his girl-crush hot… and complicated, and the whole "to be or not to be" thing suddenly very bi-curious. Home is where the heartbreak is. A modern-day adaptation of Hamlet by a modern-day Danish playwright, production describes it as a “love letter to queer Copenhagen.”

Jack DiFalco (THE FERRYMAN, TORCH SONG) will star as Horatio, with Aster Drewe & John Yi (ROCKY HORROR) leading as Ophelia and Hamlet. Taylor Iman Jones (HEAD OVER HEELS) and David Mattar Merten (AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE) will round out the company as Rosencrantz & Guildenstern, respectively. Additional musicians include Hope Johansen and Tommy Dougherty. Seungyeon Kwan will music direct.

The upcoming reading follows earlier presentations at development at The Dramatists Guild, and Kobenhavn’s Shakespeare Kompagni (Copenhagen’s Shakespeare Company). Previously, McCarthy was a resident playwright for the International World Pride Festival in 2021, which was in Copenhagen.

Industry members interested in attending may email [email protected].

Award-winning production company METHOD IN MADNESS CO. is spearheading GAY HAMLET. With OFFIES-nominated productions in London & Edinburgh, and acclaimed off-off New York runs, they’re committed to telling queer stories with an international perspective. They will be producing BACHELORS OF FINE ARTS at Edinburgh Fringe this summer.

Co-producer Chorus Girl Productions was founded by Emmarose Campbell and Maggie Winslow to foster and feature art by and about strong women.

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