STERLING — “To be or not to be?” That is the question that has never been posed on the Sterling College Theatre stage. It comes from the “grandaddy” of all English drama – William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” which will be staged at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23 in Upper Wilson on the College campus. 

The show will feature a cast of 11 including five Sterling College students and six Sterling College alumni or employees. “Hamlet” is the senior project of graduating theater student John Williams, from St. Louis, Mo., who is playing the title role as well as co-directing. Sasha Hildebrand, artistic director for Sterling College Theatre, is co-directing and playing the role of Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother. 

Set in the kingdom of Denmark, the play’s hero, Prince Hamlet, is compelled to exact revenge on his Uncle Claudius, played by Sterling College band director Larry Brownlee, for both the murder of his father, King Hamlet and his uncle’s subsequent succession to the throne and marriage to Gertrude. Sterling College volleyball coach John Harding will be seen as the Ghost of Hamlet’s father in the show. “Hamlet” will be staged in thrust style – meaning the audience will be on three sides of the stage and seating will be limited. The lengthy Shakespearean drama has been greatly reduced for this production which will be about two hours long. 

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available now at www.sterling.edu/arts. Tickets will also be available at the door, pending availability.