We Happy Few Presents MACBETH

We Happy Few follows ambition into bloody madness in March 2019 with Shakespeare's vicious tale of prophecy, violence and desire at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop.

2/6/2019: Helen Hayes Recommended (PERICLES, 2018) We Happy Few returns to its tragic roots this spring with a stripped-down production of one of Shakespeare's shortest and bloodiest plays, MACBETH. With We Happy Few's customary attention to actor-driven theatricality, five actors take on nineteen roles in an examination of the ambition, inhumanity, and guilt that accompany a man's dizzying rise and abrupt fall. MACBETH runs March 6-March 30 at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop.

"What's done cannot be undone."

Propelled by dark forces, ruthless in his execution and haunted by his actions, a tyrant ascends the throne. Is he a man compelled to take on a role dictated by fate, society, and his own ambition? Or is he an inherently evil villain? In the shadow of unspeakable deeds, Macbeth and all who surround him must ask: What am I party to? Where's the line? When have I gone too far? When is it too late? Our five person ensemble embodies the echo chamber of voices that surround Macbeth--loved ones and rivals, kings and killers, and the witches, ghosts and shadows that haunt them all--combining to create a world and a society that evokes our own. A play just as cruel to the innocent as the guilty, MACBETH asks us to match our wills against the pressures of society and the inevitability of fate to discover just how far we are willing to sacrifice our humanity to achieve our goals.

MACBETH is directed by Hannah Todd (THE DOG IN THE MANGER, HAMLET) and stars five DC-area actors: Raven Bonniwell (HENRY V, ROMEO AND JULIET), Danny Cackley (THE SECOND SHEPHERD'S PLAY: Folger Theatre), Desiree Chappelle (THE LOVE OF THE NIGHTINGALE: Catholic University), Dylan Fleming (THE RAID: Theatre Alliance), and Stefany Pesta (FRANKENSTEIN). Lights by Jason Aufdem-Brinke, sound and original music by Ethan Balis, costumes by Moyenda Kulemeka, visual design by Arnel Sancianco, and fight choreography by Casey Kaleba.

Founded in 2012, We Happy Few's mission is to transform the experience of classic texts for artist and audience. We Happy Few has established itself as one of Washington D.C.'s best small theatre companies (the DCist, 2015) by nurturing a creative environment that thrives on ensemble collaborations with some of the nation's most promising emerging theatre artists. WHF's flagship production of a six actor, 90-minute HAMLET premiered at the 2012 Capital Fringe Festival to great acclaim, exploring the idea that the entire play unfolded in the title character's mind. WHF's 2017 production of HENRY V was hailed as "a fascinating, resonant, and important new take on a known work" (Broadway World) and We Happy Few earned its first Helen Hayes Recommendation with 2018's PERICLES. DC Metro Theater Arts declared We Happy Few's work "a new approach to Shakespeare you will not want to miss."

MACBETH is presented at the Capitol Hills Arts Workshop (545 7th St SE) located in the Eastern Market neighborhood, Washington, DC. Performances are March 6-March 30th, Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30, with two Pay-What-You-Will previews on Wednesday, March 6th and Thursday, March 7th.

Tickets are $20 and are available at https://whfmacbeth.brownpapertickets.com
or linked through our website, www.wehappyfewdc.com

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