MACBETH The Story

Norway, aided by some Scottish traitors, is at war with Scotland… or was, until Macbeth and Banquo, two generals of Scottish King Duncan, defeat them all. Coming home, Macbeth and Banquo encounter three witches (what?!) who prophesy that Macbeth will get a promotion, then eventually become King of Scotland, and Banquo’s heirs shall be kings. Immediately, word comes that Duncan has indeed promoted Macbeth, which admittedly is kind of spooky timing. Macbeth is… torn. It even looks for a second like Duncan might name him heir to the throne. But he does not.

Macbeth tells his wife all this and when King Duncan rests at their castle that night, together they see to it that he just keeps resting. Forever. Macduff, another of Duncan’s loyal soldiers, discovers the murder; when Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee in fear for their lives, many suspect they are guilty.

The Macbeths now rule, but King Macbeth, paranoid beyond belief, orders some murders and gets hauntings in return, so neither Macbeth (king nor queen) sleeps very well. For a long time.

The witches show Macbeth a bunch of creepy stuff and prophesy he will be safe until the forest of Birnam comes to his castle, Dunsinane, and that he need fear no one born of woman. Neither of those things sound very likely, do they? So Macbeth is convinced he is invincible. SPOILER: He is not.

Vengeance is achieved, though sadly if Shakespeare is repeatedly clear about anything it’s that vengeance is dissatisfying and pointless.

The Speed Art Museum presents Rounding the Circle: The Mary and Alfred Shands Collection, a major exhibition celebrating the extensive and significant collection of contemporary artworks assembled by local collectors, the late Alfred R. Shands III (1928-2021) and Mary Norton Shands (1930-2009). This presentation also commemorates the transformative gift of art made to the Speed Art Museum, numbering over 150 artworks.

BUY TICKETS bit.ly/rtc-speed speedmuseum.org

Presents

Written by William Shakespeare

Edited by Gregory Maupin

Directed by Matt

Wallace

SCENIC DESIGN

Karl Anderson

LIGHTING DESIGN

Casey Clark

CHOREOGRAPHER

Alfie Jones

SOUND DESIGN

Laura Ellis

COSTUME DESIGN

Donna LawrenceDowns

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Christina Booker

COMPOSERS

“WHEN DAISIES PIED” MUSIC BY GREGORY MAUPIN / LYRICS BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

“ONE SUMMER NIGHT” BY DANNY WEBB

Cast

(in order of appearance)

Navarre Braden McCampbell

Berowne Gregory Maupin

Longaville Justin Jackson

Dumaine Tajleed Hardy

Dull Zac Campbell-Hoogendyk

Costard Tony Reimonenq III

Don Armadoff Brian Hinds

Moth .................................................................................................................................. Neill Robertson

Jaquenetta .............................................................................................................................. Mollie Murk

Boyet ..................................................................................................................................... Jon Huffman

Princess .................................................................................................................. Ashley Nicole Cabrera

Maria ............................................................................................................................. Sarah Chen Elsten

Katherine .............................................................................................................................Nyazia Martin

Rosaline ................................................................................................................. Abigail Bailey Maupin

Nathanial .................................................................................................................................... Nick Wills

Holifernes ................................................................................................................. Jennifer Pennington

Setting: summer mountain resort, 1950’s

Director Matt Wallace is sponsored by Charlie and Jenny Marsh.