Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of Chicago Shakespeare's SHORT SHAKESPEARE! MACBETH

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Short Shakespeare! Macbeth, a 75-minute abridged production of William Shakespeare's tale of political intrigue and personal ambition. This new adaptation by Director Kirsten Kelly, whose decade long history with CST includes being the co-founder and director of the nationally recognized CPS Shakespeare! program, makes for an outstanding introduction to Shakespeare for audiences of all ages. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the stars!

In a world brimming with the supernatural, three witches' prophecies reveal a path to the throne for Scottish nobleman Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth. Blinded by their royal desires, the couple struggles to balance conscience with ambition, leading to dark consequences. A theatrical world of action, sound and the spiritual makes Shakespeare's language come alive in one of the playwright's most powerful dramas.

CST's Short Shakespeare! series is an essential component of the Theater's celebrated Team Shakespeare education program. Following five weeks of public and student performances in the theater's home on Navy Pier, the abridgment will begin its five-week tour to urban, suburban, and rural schools across the Midwest. With a crew of eight and a 20 foot-long box truck, the production will transform each venue with high-caliber staging and design, giving students the experience of a fully realized professional performance. Chicago Shakespeare offers students exclusive access to its productions by removing financial barriers to participation, with subsidized tickets for school groups.

Audiences of Short Shakespeare! Macbeth at CST and in schools around the Midwest will experience a talented cast of actors, many of whom have performed on Chicago Shakespeare stages in recent seasons, including Chris Genebach as Macbeth and Lanise Antoine Shelley as Lady Macbeth, joined by an ensemble of characters including La Shawn Banks, Jeffrey Baumgartner, Kevin Cox, Tiffany Yvonne Cox, Nicholas Harazin, Steven Lee Johnson, Garrett Lutz, Joshua Moaney, Michael Perez, Andrea San Miguel, andChristopher Sheard.

The seasoned creative team features assistant director and fight choreographer Matt Hawkins, Scenic Designer Scott Davis, Costume Designer Robert S. Kuhn, Lighting Designer Joel Moritz, Composer and Sound Designer Kevin O'Donnell and CST's Resident Wig and Make-up Designer Melissa Veal.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Short Shakespeare! Macbeth will be performed for the public on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. from January 17 through February 14, 2015 in CST's Courtyard Theater. Tickets are on sale now for $16-$20 with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% discount on guaranteed parking in Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow

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