The Alabama Shakespeare Festival Will Present Post-Apocalyptic MACBETH

The Alabama Shakespeare Festival will offer a gritty and chill-filled version of William Shakespeare's Macbeth January 25 through May 18. Under the direction of ASF's producing artistic director Geoffrey Sherman, one of the literature's greatest and most powerful tragedies is set in a haunting post-Apocalyptic world.

Tickets start at $30 in the balcony and on Preview night January 25. Prices range from $35-$60 for regular performances and can be obtained on line at www.asf.net , by calling 800.841.4273 or by visiting the ASF box office located at 1 Festival Drive in the heart of Montgomery's beautiful Blount Cultural Park.

When three witches prophesize that war hero Macbeth is destined to be king, he becomes obsessed with the possibility of achieving unrivaled power. Encouraged by his equally ambitious and ruthless wife, Macbeth uses all means at his disposal, including murder, to make his way to the top and stay there.

Fans of modern dramas like Revolution, The Hunger Games or Mad Max, will appreciate the play's modern post-apocalyptic world, where resources are depleted and every man, woman, and child must fight for survival. Scenic Designer Peter Hicks presents an angular, dark world with fixtures made of now useless firepower weapons and industrial trash. Brenda Van Der Wiel's edgy costumes display each characters wild, punkish side.

Macbeth will be performed by ASF newcomer Ian Bedford. Lady Macbeth will be performed by Jennifer Barnhart, who was last seen in ASF's productions of Dracula and The Merry Wives of Windsor.

Others in the cast include Jordan Barbour (Malcolm), Brik Berkes (Lennox), James Bowen (Duncan), Seth Andrew Bridges (Donaldbain, Y. Siward), Rodney Clark (Ross), Michelle Geisler (Gentlewoman), Logan James Hall (Angus), Paul Hebron (Banquo, Doctor), Greta Lambert (Witch), Tom Lawson (Old Man), Anthony Marble (Macduff), Jason Martin (Second Murderer, Siward), Chris Pappas (Third Murderer, Caithness), Kurt Rhoads (Sergeant, Porter), Crispin South (Young Macduff), Jim Staudt (First Murderer, Menteith, David Umansky (Seyton, Fleance, Messenger), Cheri Lynne Vanderheeuvel (Witch, Lady Macduff) and Jillian Walker (Witch).

Other members of the artistic team Phil Monat (Lighting) and Richelle Thompson (Sound). Susan Willis serves as dramturg and Whitney Keeter as the stage manager.