MANKATO — To celebrate the life of Donabel C. Linney, MSU Theatre & Dance is presenting William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” The play opens Thursday.

Linney was an MSU professor of English from 1965 to 1984. She died last year. A reception in her honor will be held before the Sunday matinee.

“Hamlet,” one of Shakespeare’s best-known tragedies, is about death, suicide, madness, incest and the supernatural. It follows Hamlet, whose father has been murdered. The death sets off a series of events inspired by revenge.

Director Paul J. Hustoles has enlisted the assistance of Richard Raether, one of 10 Fight Masters certified by the Society of American Fight Directors to help with the production. Raether was in residence at MSU Feb. 4-8 and has taught and choreographed state combat for 20 years. He has staged fights for ABC, CBS and other theaters across the U.S.

Another nice addition to the production is Brad Widness’ graphic art students’ poster designs. Widness is an art professor and his students worked with Hustoles as a class project.

— Amanda Dyslin

If you go

What

MSU Theatre & Dance presents “Hamlet”

When

7:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and March 28-March 1, with 2 p.m. matinees Sunday and March 2, in the Ted Paul Theatre, Performing Arts Center

Tickets

$14.50 regular; $13 for seniors and youth ages 16; and $10 for MSU students

Call 389-6661 for more information or visit MSUTheatre.com.