The Prince of West End Avenue

Adapted from the award-winning novel by Alan Isler, London-based Canadian actor Kerry Shale presents his internationally acclaimed one-man show, The Prince of West End Avenue. Shale portrays all 15 characters in the production, staged by English director Ben Twist.

The lead character, Otto Korner, an 83-year-old resident in The Emma Lazarus Jewish Retirement Home on West End Avenue in Manhattan, acts out the story of the residents’ hilariously chaotic rehearsals of Hamlet, in which he longs to play the Prince. As rehearsals progress, the Emma Lazarus Old Vic Company suffers a series of disasters. Sexual passions become inflamed, Hamlet drops dead and his replacement (Otto’s sworn enemy, Nahum Lipschitz) falls down a flight of stairs. Or was he pushed?

By default, Otto Korner becomes the Prince of West End Avenue in the seemingly jinxed production. Driven on by the role, he delves deep into his own past and uncovers a shameful act, which haunts him still. For Hamlet “the readiness is all.” But is Otto ready to face himself?