Hamlet 2000

Dana Marschz, a self-proclaimed drama guru and hopeful for redemption, operates in Tucson, Arizona, a place where dreams often fade away. Despite claiming to be an inspirational figure, he struggles to engage more than just two keen students, Rand Posin and Epiphany Sellars, who find themselves enduring his lackluster school plays that embarrassingly mimic Hollywood’s biggest hits—his latest: a cringe-worthy version of Erin Brockovich. As a new school year begins, Dana’s class becomes a haven for disengaged students, including the cynical Octavio, whose presence ignites a series of creative clashes.

The real blow comes when Principal Rocker informs Dana that the drama program is slated for closure by term’s end. In a desperate bid to reclaim his dignity and energize his students, Dana decides to embark on a bold adventure: rewriting and producing an original play titled Hamlet 2.0. This unique iteration involves time travel, controversial story developments, and even brings Jesus Christ into the mix, highlighted by a show-stealing number called “Rock Me Sexy Jesus.” As the students begin to embrace this eccentric endeavor, Rand, cast as the troubled Laertes, feels overshadowed by Octavio’s portrayal of Hamlet and storms out, ultimately delivering a copy of the script to Principal Rocker, triggering a shutdown order for the production.

To add to his challenges, Dana’s marriage falls apart as his wife, Brie, leaves him for their nondescript but fertile roommate, Gary. To add insult to injury, Dana learns he is infertile. Dejected, he contemplates abandoning the project. Yet, his students rally around him in solidarity, determined to see the play come to life. With the surprising assistance of the school’s football and wrestling teams, they evolve a derelict warehouse into a makeshift theater. Meanwhile, the cancellation stirs a heated controversy spearheaded by the fervent ACLU activist, Cricket Feldstein.

As the performance night draws near, Dana faces an unexpected twist: the canceled play has become a highly sought-after event, leading to a sold-out show with an audience that includes a critic from The New York Times. Encouraged by his students, Rand reenters the fray, apologizing for his prior departure, and Dana reluctantly consents to let him reclaim his role as Laertes.

The play debuts to mixed reactions, confronting sensitive themes while offering a fresh take on classic narratives. It intricately intertwines various plotlines, each involving characters using time travel to confront their flawed fathers. Ultimately, both Hamlet—portrayed by Tom Hanks—and Jesus embody forgiveness toward those who’ve transgressed against them, signaling a significant emotional shift in the tale. Initially, the show struggles to captivate, with protesters filling the audience, poised to challenge what they deem a threat to artistic expression. However, as the play progresses, its impactful storytelling gradually captivates even the harshest critics. In anticipation of a future Broadway opening, Dana invites his students and his new love interest, Elisabeth Shue, to join him in preparations for the show’s premiere, proudly featuring an all-new cast.