Valley High School Drama presents "Hamlet," Shakespeare’s most popular and most puzzling play, Nov. 7-9, at the Staplin Performing Art Center.

Directed by Valley Drama Director Aaron Westrum, the “revenge tragedy” follows hero Hamlet as he seeks vengeance against his father’s murderer: his uncle Claudius, now the king of Denmark. Much of its fascination, however, lies in its uncertainties. What is the Ghost? Does Hamlet go mad, or merely pretend to? Once he identifies the murderer, why doesn’t he act? Was his mother, Gertrude, unfaithful to her husband or complicit in his murder?

Shakespeare's "Hamlet"

• Friday, Nov. 7 — 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 8 — 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 9 — 1 p.m.

All performances at the Staplin Performing Arts Center, Valley High School, 3650 Woodland Ave., West Des Moines. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. 

Get Tickets

Visit valleydrama.com

Play description adapted from the Folger Shakespeare Library. Photo credit: Amanda Pichler Photography.

Valley Drama Family Fundraiser: To eat or not to eat should NOT be a question. 

Our community needs our support. During the run of our show, we'll collect donations for Valley's food pantry and monetary donations to the Food Bank of Iowa, which supports Valley's pantry in addition to pantries across the state. 

There are three ways to donate:

• Purchase new items and bring them with you to the show, specifically:
  • Toiletry items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, soap, shampoo, conditioner, laundry soap, feminine products, toilet paper, and paper towels
  • Baking items like cooking oils, spices, sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, shelf stable juices, and milks
• Donate online using our Valley Drama Family Fundraiser Page. Our goal is to raise $500.
• Make a cash donation at the shows. We’ll have a donation box in the lobby at every show.