Schoolcraft College’s Theatre Department presents Dinner Theatre performances of  Hamlet on Mar. 22-23 and Apr. 5-6, and Theatre performances on Apr. 12-13, 2013. The Dinner Theatre performances begin at 6:30 p.m. with a delicious dinner served in the VisTaTech Center followed by the performance at 8 p.m. in the Liberal Arts Theatre on the college’s main campus in Livonia, Haggerty Road between Six and Seven Mile Roads. Tickets for the Dinner Theatre performances are $24 per person. Tickets for the Theatre only performances Apr. 12-13 are $12 per person and the show begins at 8 p.m. in the Liberal Arts Theatre.

Hamlet is considered by many to be one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, with many recognizable speeches including the famous, “To be or not to be…” Hamlet, the most famous tragic hero in all of Western drama, is haunted by the terrible secret of his father’s murder and vows revenge. “It is a masterpiece of literature with intrigue, controversy, and mystery,” said Dr. James R. Hartman, professor of theatre and drama at Schoolcraft College. “The play continues to appeal to audiences today because of the use of ghosts, political intrigue, doomed romance and a murder mystery.”

This particular version of Hamlet has been edited by Dr. Hartman for more accessibility, ease of understanding and a shorter length. “We had such a tremendous response to our production of Romeo and Juliet last year, which I had edited as well, I was encouraged to complete Hamlet,” said Dr. Hartman. “I had been working on it for several years but last summer I spent seven days a week, sometimes 12 hours a day, completing this version so we could stage it in 2013.” Hamlet has not been performed by the Schoolcraft College Theatre Department before and is, in fact, the most challenging production ever staged by the college.

Tickets for the performances in March and April are on sale now and can be purchased at the Schoolcraft College Bookstore on the main campus in Livonia or by calling 734-462-4596.