A bunch of months ago, I blathered on in this space about a buncha productions of "Hamlet." One in Ventura has come and gone. Another in San Diego is upcoming. South Coast Rep's production in Costa Mesa is about to open.

I'll get back to that last one in a jiffy.

You can add another rendition of the "To be or not to be" spouting Dane, this one even more local.

On June 22 ,the first annual production of Shakespeare in the Cemetery will open its production of "Hamlet" at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. I don't know how exactly they plan to stage it, but since the HF Cemetery is the regular activity hub for things like screenings and parties, why not stage a play that has death oozing from every pore. Heck, the probably won't have any difficulty finding a spot for the Ophelia's burial scene (oops, did I give something away?).

Now, "Hamlet" isn't something one should just throw up on a stage _ or on a bier _ just Here's hoping Dean Chekvala, whoever he may be, has the goods to play the Prince.

The production plays through July 22 at 6000 Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood, 800-595-4849 or online at www.shakespeareinthecemetery.com. The company promises a second Bard production this summer, but isn't specifying what that might be.

OK, as for "Hamlet" in Costa Mesa...

I only saw the first preview. I'm not supposed to review it, and am not gonna write it up. There are ethics here. My brother Matthew is in the cast. In my admittedly biased opinion, I think he's about the best darned Voltemand you're likely to see.

Since this is my blog, and MY RULES, I'll encourage people to check out this production anyway, partly out of brotherly loyalty, and partly because what I saw was worth seeing. Hamish Linklater -- of "The New Adventures of Old Christine" fame represents himself quite well as Hamlet. Plus you've got a couple of old pros _ Robert Foxworth and Dakin Matthews _ as Claudius and Polonius who are seriously fun to watch, if "fun to watch" can appropriately be applied to this play.

Daniel Sullivan is one of the better directors working today; I've seen his productions of "Proof," "Morning's at Seven," "The Heidi Chronicles," "Dinner with Friends", etc. etc.

I've also seen his work with Shakespeare: very memorable productions of "Romeo and Juliet," "Cymbeline," and "Julius Caesar." He goes from Costa Mesa to stage "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in Central Park.

Nuff said. Good "Hamlets" are rare. This one qualifies.