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GAZEBO PLAYERS ANNOUNCE CAST FOR MACBETH

“Something wicked this way comes.” “Double double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble.” “The milk of human kindness.” “Out, out damned spot!” Sound familiar? These are some of the most famous lines in the English language, and they all come from a single play. You can hear all of these lines and many more that you’ll recognize at The Gazebo Players’ seventh annual Shakespeare in the Park production of Macbeth.

Edward Eaton, who directed last summer’s production of Romeo and Juliet, returns to the Gazebo Players to direct Macbeth. Shakespeare’s script has close to 30 characters, many of whom appear in only one scene. Mr. Eaton has adapted the play so that it requires only 13 actors, with most actors playing multiple roles. In contrast to Romeo and Juliet, which Mr. Eaton staged as a comedy that takes an accidental wrong turn, this production of Macbeth will be a tragedy driven by supernatural forces and the dangers of human ambition. The production will also feature swordfights, drunken servants, scheming witches, trophy wives, and clashing armies.

As the play opens, Macbeth (Andrew Bradley of Dedham) and Banquo (Wendy Lippe of Brookline) are Scottish generals returning from victories at war when they meet three witches (Cathy Larson of Milton, Cynthia Small of Medfield, and Kathryn Holland of Jamaica Plain). The witches predict that Macbeth will become King of Scotland, and that Banquo’s heirs will create a dynasty of Scottish kings.

Macbeth is loyal to King Duncan (Jere Babst of Natick), and decides to let fate make him King if it wants to. However, Lady Macbeth (Julia Specht of Lunenburg), hearing of her husband’s encounter with the witches, spurs him to action, and Macbeth murders Duncan. Duncan’s children Malcolm (Chris Woodsum of Medfield) and Donalbain (Rachel Harmon of Dover) flee, fearing that they will be blamed for the murder, and the crown falls to Macbeth as the witches predicted.

Remembering the witches’ other prophesies, Macbeth begins to fear Banquo and his child Fleance (Juliana Small of Medfield), and orders them killed. As Macbeth becomes more and more the tyrant, Scottish noblemen led by Macduff (Tom Lawrence of Cambridge) and Lennox (Nate Kingsbury of Walpole) raise an army to challenge his rule.

Would Macbeth have become King if he hadn’t met the witches, or did the witches’ prophesies prod him to take action to become King? Come to a performance of Macbeth and decide for yourself.

All performances of Macbeth start at 5 PM and are free to the public. Performances at the Gazebo in Medfield will be given on July 19, 20, 26, and 27. Performances at the Pavilion in Bird Park in Walpole will be given on August 2 and 3. In case of rain, the Medfield performances will be at the Pfaff Center (corner of North and Dale Streets), and the Walpole performances will be at the Walpole Footlighters (5 Scout Rd.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic. Light refreshments will be available.

The Gazebo Player’s production of Macbeth is made possible by grants from the Medfield Cultural Council and the Walpole Cultural Council, both of which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The Walpole performances are co-sponsored by the Walpole Footlighters.