RENO – There was a method to actress Dalia Gerdel’s madness as she prepared for her role as Ophelia in Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Co.’s production of “Hamlet.” She studied post-traumatic stress syndrome to portray the tragic noblewoman as she journeys from being smitten to scorned.

“I have an abnormal psychology book that I’ve used,” Gerdel said.

Any thespian would need to devote a large amount of time to understand the complexities and depths of “Hamlet’s” characters. The cast of Good Luck Macbeth actors did it in about 10 weeks’ time with rehearsals starting just before May. Their commitment shows in a performance that is nearly flawless, well-timed and engaging.

On Thursday, the 13-actor cast performed its final rehearsal for the play, which opens tonight at the Laxalt Auditorium at 401 W. Second St. in Reno.

The two-hour, 35-minute long rendition of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy focuses solely on character development with a very simple set and subtle costuming. Most characters wear a base set of black, long-sleeved shirts and pants and are adorned with shoulder drapes or other accessories to signify rank as a royal family member or guard.

The simplicity of the background details are purposefully minimal to lend weight to Good Luck Macbeth’s most important emphasis on character development, in which the production’s true strengths lie.

Hamlet is portrayed by the company’s president and co-founder, Scott Reeves, whose impassioned interpretation of the young, conflicted prince of Denmark is both profound and comedic as the character enters bouts of real and feigned madness over his mother’s quick marriage to his uncle Claudius following his father’s death.

“It’s fascinating to try to master the language,” Reeves said of Shakespeare’s writing. “You have to study each line. Every line has an intent and you have to dig into the roles and understand them before you attempt to perform it.”

The nunnery scene between Hamlet and Ophelia is one of Reeves’ favorites of the drama and arguably one of the most important in the play as Gerdel’s Ophelia experiences her rejection from her beloved. The compelling dialogue between the actors builds an exciting tension that improves throughout the remainder of the play.

Supporting roles, including Debbi Bratt as Hamlet’s mother Gertrude, Michael Peters as Hamlet’s uncle King Claudius, Phil Harriman as King Polonius, Linda Noveroske as Laertes, also were strong and convincing in the well-woven web of subplots.

An element that the Good Luck Macbeth cast made its own is in the portrayal of madness or death – or evil in general, depending on one’s interpretation. Supporting actors, who often played multiple roles, occasionally surrounded the main characters while blindfolded and sometimes slithered on the floor as the main roles were experiencing tension or as their fateful end quickly approached. It was a liberal artistic approach that added a charming visual quality, particularly as Ophelia eventually is pushed over the edge and these minions of fate grasped and consumed her in interpretative movement.

The play, no doubt one of Shakespeare’s heaviest and most complex works in terms of characterization and thematic ideas of revenge, loss of morality and death, also offers its lighter moments. The prime jesters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, played by Greg Lintz and Stefani Estep, respectively, evoked laughter from a small audience previewing the play at the final rehearsal. Their antics brought welcome relief in otherwise tense moments.

“Hamlet” performances take place tonight, Friday, July 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. with matinee performances at 3 p.m. at July 11 and 25. General admission is $15 and student and senior tickets are $10. To purchase tickets, Call 322-3716 for reservations or group sales or e-mail info@goodluckmacbeth.org. Pre-sale tickets are available at Dharma Books at 11 N. Sierra St.