The hearing will determine whether Hamlet should stand trial for the murder of Polonius or be excused because of his mental condition. While the jury is deliberating, the audience will vote on the verdict and will have an opportunity to ask the participating experts and attorneys about their trial strategy.

Catherine Crier, the Court TV anchor and former Texas state judge, along with the attorney Abbe D. Lowell of Chadbourne and Parke, will present arguments for the defense. The attorneys Cristina Arguedas of Arguedas, Cassman and Headley, and Miles Ehrlich of Ramsey and Ehrlich will be the prosecution.

The expert witnesses will be Alan A. Stone, a professor of law and psychiatry at Harvard Law School, and Jeffrey Lieberman, the chair of psychiatry at Columbia University and the director of the New York State Psychiatric Institute.

The event will be hosted by Michael Kahn, the artistic director of the Shakespeare Theatre Company, which is co-presenting the event with the Kennedy Center.

According to press notes, Hamlet is expected to invoke his privilege not to testify. The Kennedy Center is located on the bank of the Potomac River, at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue, NW, and Rock Creek Parkway. Tickets, priced $35, are available at the Kennedy Center box office or by calling Instant Charge at (202) 467-4600. Tickets can also be purchased at the Shakespeare Theatre Company box office (450 7th Street, NW) or by calling (202) 638-3863. Those living outside the Washington area may call (800) 444-1324 or (877) 487-8849.

For more information visit www.kennedy-center.org.