No knowledge of show business is needed to enjoy Diamond Head Theatre’s production of "I Hate Hamlet." Reb Beau Allen and Paul Mitri are beautifully balanced as the stars of playwright Paul Rudnick’s contemporary comedy. Four other talented performers provide excellent support.

Allen stars as Andrew Rally, a television actor who has come to New York to play Hamlet in Central Park — primarily just to prove he can do it, but also because his hit series has been canceled and the only work he’s been able to get is co-starring with a hand puppet in a snack food commercial. The apartment Rally rents once belonged to John Barrymore — a legendary figure in stage and film whose performance as Hamlet on Broadway in 1922 was one of the greatest successes of his career.

Rally’s angry shout, "I hate Hamlet!," brings Barrymore’s ghost back to the apartment where it seems he will remain until Rally is committed to "Hamlet" and ready for the role.

Comedy is the main thing here but Allen makes the serious moments important; Rally’s personal concerns assay out as more than comic fodder.

Mitri (Barrymore) is a show unto himself in the role of Rally’s supernatural mentor and confidant. Playwright Rudnick clearly wants the audience to draw its own conclusions about the issues that are in play, but Mitri’s animated and passionate performance provides plenty of incentive to learn more about "Hamlet" — and about Shakespeare and Barrymore as well.

(Note: Director Rob Duval will play Barrymore in the final weekend of the run.)

Ann Brandman (Felicia Dantine) is a hoot as the "Nu-Yawk" Realtor and freelance psychic who helps bring Rally and Barrymore together. Lisa Konove (Lillian Troy) shows her comedic talent as Rally’s imperious agent, who, as fate would have it, was one of Barrymore’s many sexual conquests.

Lacey Perrine Chu (Deirdre McDavey) does her best work to date as Rally’s wealthy girlfriend, still a virgin at 29, uncertain if she’ll ever find a man worthy of her virginity, but thrilled at the idea of Rally starring in "Hamlet."

Walt Gaines (Gary Peter Lefkowitz), a kaleidoscope of bright shirts and brash opinions, personifies the mindset of American mass-market entertainment with his performance as Rally’s deal-making representative in Los Angeles. Lefkowitz brings news of a deal in the making — a new series about a guy who is a deeply committed inner-city school teacher by day and a superhero by night.

With Rally guaranteed $3 million for the season, there’s no longer any need for him to do "Shakespeare for squirrels" in Central Park, right?

Rudnick skewers Hollywood, television, theater, relationships, virginity and, yes, even Shakespeare with a light touch, keen wit and some great one-liners.