Shakespeare Dallas’ 50th Season Culminates in Performance of ‘Hamlet’

Shakespeare Dallas recently announced the year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary will culminate with a production of Hamlet.

Performances will run from Sept. 7 through Oct. 15 and will be held at Samuell-Grand Amphitheater, located at 1500 Tenison Parkway in Dallas. Tickets are on sale now

Known as one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays, Shakespeare Dallas’ interpretation of Hamlet will feature an all-woman cast and will be directed by celebrated local actress and director Christie Vela.

Artistic and Executive Director Raphael Parry said he’s thrilled for Shakespeare Dallas to present the first woman to play Hamlet in the Dallas area.

“To have an all-woman cast for Hamlet is an exciting step. Shakespeare had limited roles for women in his plays because the laws at the time did not allow them to perform on stage; all the roles were performed by men and boys,” remarked Parry. “By converting some roles from the historical gender that they have been cast as, opens the play up to new interpretations and provides much more access to the incredibly talented performers in our community, who are not traditionally offered these roles due to their gender representation.”

The cast will include Jenny Ledel (Hamlet), Francine Gonzalez (Horatio), Karen Raehpour (Claudius), Victoria Angelina Cruz (Gertrude), Constance Gold Parry (Polonius), Nicole Berastequi (Laertes), Tex Patrello (Ophelia), Whitney Holotik (Rosencrantz), Elizabeth Evans (Guildenstern), Donjalea Reynolds Crane (Player King/ Gravedigger), Allie Donnaly (Player Queen), Claire Parry (Fortinbras), and Mindamora Rocha (Francisco).

In addition, throughout the run of Hamlet, the company has several special activity nights planned including a North Texas Giving Day kick-off celebration on Sept. 16, Bark in the Park on Sept. 18, a closing night celebration on Oct. 15 including a special bench dedication for Shakespeare Dallas founder Bob Glenn, and more. Event updates will be posted on the company’s social media channels.

For more information about Shakespeare Dallas, visit its website.