STEUBENVILLE, OH—Franciscan University of Steubenville's Drama Department will present William Shakespeare’s heart-wrenching play,
Hamlet, as its Spring 2011 production.
Hamlet tells the tragic tale of an enraged son—Hamlet, Prince of Denmark—grappling with the death of his father and the knowledge that his mother’s new husband is the murderer. Throughout the famous play, Hamlet seeks to proclaim the truth of his father’s death, but is thwarted at every turn, regarded as a madman by those around him and sent away by his stepfather, who fears Hamlet may try to kill him.
Performance-goers have long regarded Hamlet as a gripping portrayal of human emotion and an intriguing investigation into the far-reaching effects of human behavior.
This semester's production of Hamlet is student-designed, which Professor Shawn Dougherty, chairman of the Fine Arts Department and the play's director, says "has been very exciting…I think [the students'] ideas will connect with the college audience. We have made Hamlet their age and his problems have as much to do with the angst of his age as the death of his father and the hate of his stepfather."
The play opens Friday, March 25, at 8:00 p.m. Performances on March 26 and 31, as well as on April 1 and 2, will also be held at 8:00 p.m. Matinee performances on Sunday, March 27 and April 3 will begin at 2:00 p.m. All performances will be held in the Anathan Theatre, ground level of Egan Hall, on the Franciscan University campus. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for all students and senior citizens. Tickets for children 12 and under, clergy, and religious are free.
Tickets are available through Toni Aeschliman, Franciscan University faculty secretary, at 740-283-6245. Tickets will also be available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.