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 considered one of the greatest revenge tragedies of all time.
  • The powerful family drama examines grief, loyalty, familial relationships, ambition and romance, inviting the audience to grapple with some of life’s most existential questions.
  • Hamlet holds a special place in the Guthrie’s metaphorical heart. This is our fifth staging of the beloved Shakespeare play, and Joseph Haj is the fourth artistic director to helm the production.

Ticket prices

Tickets range from $20 to $80. 

See More

Group sales

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

Learn More

Run time

Approximately 2 hours, 45 minutes (including intermission)

Note: If you arrive after the show begins, you will be admitted during a break in the action to help keep distractions to a minimum. You may be seated in an alternate location.

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.

Learn More about Accessibility

Content advisory

This production contains mature content and themes, loud noises, strobe lights, haze and fog. For more information, please contact the Box Office. 

Age recommendation 

We recommend Hamlet for ages 12 and up. Everyone must have a ticket, and children under 5 are not admitted.

Health and safety

Masks are no longer required for all Sunday performances. For audience members who prefer a masked environment, we will offer a mask-required performance of Hamlet on Sunday, April 16 at 1 p.m.

Play guide and program

Want to dig deeper? Check out the play guide and digital program

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.

See More

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.

Learn More

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. 

Video

A look back

The show that started it all in 1963 returns. In an homage to the Guthrie's beginnings, Hamlet will be on stage for the fifth time in celebration of our 60th season.

Take a look back at productions past and prepare for the milestone moment to come. 

In the news

Review

“Tremendously entertaining, scary, touching, thought-provoking and ultimately thrilling. I think it is my favorite Hamlet among the many I’ve seen. And I’ve seen some good ones.” — Pioneer Press

Read On

Review

“Haj and his creative team have combined sublime elegance with brutalism, both in terms of mores and architecture.” — Star Tribune

Read On

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

View More

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

Alli St. John

Intimacy

View More

Photos

Michael Braugher (Dan Norman)

Anya Whelan-Smith and Michael Braugher (Dan Norman)

The cast of Hamlet (Dan Norman)

Regina Marie Williams and Michael Braugher (Dan Norman)

Regina Marie Williams and Anya Whelan-Smith (Dan Norman)

John Catron and Regina Marie Williams

The cast of Hamlet (Dan Norman)

Regina Marie Williams, John Catron, Michael Braugher and Grayson DeJesus (Dan Norman)

Sponsored by

Explore more

Donate Now

Give a tax-deductible gift to the Guthrie today

Donate about Donate Now

Murder on the Orient Express

A who-done-it mystery

Learn More about Murder on the Orient Express

2022‒2023 Season

Celebrate 60 years of artistic excellence at the Guthrie

Explore the Lineup about 2022‒2023 Season
Call