Hamlet

by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
directed by JOSEPH HAJ
Wurtele Thrust Stage

A haunting revenge story

Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, returns home to mourn his father’s death and begrudgingly attend the wedding of his mother, Queen Gertrude, to his uncle Claudius, who has all too willingly taken his brother’s throne. When the former king’s ghost appears and cries murder, Hamlet’s grief turns to obsessive revenge as he seeks to uncover evidence and unmask Claudius. Tension builds and plots spiral out of control, leading to a deadly final showdown. In an homage to the Guthrie’s beginnings, Hamlet will be onstage in May 2023 as the theater celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Three things to know

  • Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s mature tragedies, along with Macbeth, Othello and King Lear. It is under debate about exactly when it was written, but it is often dated around the same period as As You Like It and Twelfth Night. Hamlet is based on the story of Amleth by François de Belleforest and contains elements of revenge tragedy, detective story and ghost story.
  • Director Joseph Haj considers Hamlet to be more of a family drama than a political drama.
  • This is the Guthrie’s fifth production of Hamlet. Previous productions include: to open the theater in 1963, directed by Tyrone Guthrie; in 1978, starring Randall Duk Kim in the title role; in 1988, directed by Garland Wright; and in 2006, directed by Joe Dowling and featuring many alumni from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Acting Program and A Guthrie Experience. The 2006 production closed the original Guthrie Theater on Vineland Place before moving to its current facility.

Ticket prices

Tickets range from $20 to $80. 

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Group sales

All student and adult groups of 15 or more qualify for discounts on tickets to Guthrie productions.

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Run time

Approximately 2 hours, 40 minutes (including intermission)

Venue info

Hamlet will take place on the Wurtele Thrust Stage.

Pro tip: Can't do stairs or have a special seating request? Call the Box Office for details. 

Accessibility

ASL-interpreted, audio-described and open-captioned performances are available on select dates.

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Post-play discussions

Join us after select performances for a 20-minute conversation facilitated by Guthrie staff and featuring the Black Gems of Urban League Twin Cities. Cast members may join the discussion as they are able.

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BIPOC Networking Night

Join us on Friday, April 21, for a night of networking and mingling with other BIPOC professionals and community members. The evening will include a pre-show conversation, complimentary refreshments and tickets to the performance. Stay tuned for more details. 

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Relaxed performance

The Guthrie will offer a relaxed performance of Hamlet on Sunday, April 30 at 1 p.m. Although these performances are open to all patrons, they are intentionally modified to accommodate patrons with sensory and vestibular sensitivities, anxiety, dementia, autism spectrum disorders, learning differences and/or challenges attending the theater.

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Shakespeare Classic 

Join us Saturday, May 20 at 1 p.m. for the Shakespeare Classic — a popular event designed to introduce theater-loving youth to the enduring works of Shakespeare. All tickets for this performance are $10.*

Tickets may be purchased by phone or in person. Tickets are not available online.

*Every order must have at least one but no more than two adults per young person between the ages of 10 and 17. 

Artists

Cast

Michael Braugher

Hamlet

Dustin Bronson

Guildenstern/Fortinbras/Barnardo

John Catron

Claudius/Lucianus

Grayson DeJesus

Laertes

Ray Dooley

Polonius/Gravedigger

Daniel Petzold

Horatio

James Rodríguez

Voltemand/Francisco/Priest/Prologue

William Sturdivant

Rosencrantz/Marcellus

David Whalen

Ghost/Gravedigger/Player King

Anya Whelan-Smith

Ophelia

Regina Marie Williams

Gertrude/Player Queen

Max Wojtanowicz

Osric

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Creative Team

Placeholder for William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

Playwright

Joseph Haj

Director

Jan Chambers

Scenic Designer

Trevor Bowen

Costume Designer

Robert Wierzel

Lighting Designer

Darron L West

Sound Designer

Jack Herrick

Composer/ Musician

Francesca Talenti

Projection Designer

Carla Steen

Resident Dramaturg

Rebecca Clark Carey

Vocal Coach

Casey Kaleba

Fight Director

Tree O'Halloran

Stage Manager

Olivia Louise Tree Plath

Assistant Stage Manager

Jennifer Liestman

Resident Casting Director

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2022‒2023 Season

Celebrate 60 years of artistic excellence at the Guthrie

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