"The Situation: In a working-class suburb of a big city, in the midst of a wedding, a young man kills his girlfriend’s father. She accuses him of murder. He says it was an accident. And thus, a trial begins."

Please, Continue (Hamlet), by Yan Duyvendak and Roger Bernat, isn’t your typical night at the theater. In it, real-life members of Chicago's judiciary (prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys) join a trio of actors to conduct Hamlet’s trial for murder. Guided by evidence from a real criminal case but completely unscripted, each performance-slash-trial unfolds uniquely, as a jury selected from that night’s audience hears the case presented and exercises the power to convict or acquit. As part of CHF's 30th Anniversary we revisit a beloved format - the mock trial - in a new form, and, invite you to consider: What is the power to judge another? And how objective is justice?

Recurring cast includes Edgar Miguel Sanchez as Hamlet, Lily Mojekwu as Gertrude, and Krystal Ortiz as Ophelia. Saturday night legal team includes Judge John Robert Blakey, United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, as Judge, Aileen Bhandari, Assistant State's Attorney in Cook County, Criminal Prosecutions Bureau - Felony Trial Division, as Prosecutor, Mike Monico, Partner at Monico & Spevack, as Defense Attorney, and Catharine O'Daniel, Attorney at Hale & Monico, as Co-Defense Counsel.

Charter Humanists must purchase member-priced tickets for this program.

At noon on Thursday, April 25th we will be closing CHF sales of this program. Additional tickets may be available through the MCA Box Office by calling (312) 397-4010.

Curious about the play?

Check out our FAQ, and learn more from a theater professor about this unique genre.