Kingsmen will present tragedy of 'Macbeth'

Since 13 is the unluckiest of numbers, the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival will kick off its 13th season with what is considered the Bard's most superstitious play, "Macbeth."

The play has a long history of disastrous events associated with production, starting with the first Lady Macbeth collapsing from a fever and dying. Actors still try not to mention the name of the play in a theater and instead refer to it as "The Scottish Play."

The curse lives on. Within 24 hours of the Kingsmen cast's first reading of the play, the lead actor suffered a detached retina and had to drop out, and another leading actor had to back out after being cast in a Hollywood project. A third actor left the show after breaking bones in a fall.

The roles have been recast and "Macbeth" will open at 8 p.m. Fri., June 26, in Kingsmen Park at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.

Additional performances will be at 8 p.m. June 27 and 28, and July 2, 3, 5, 10, 11, and 12.

The grounds open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking. Preshow entertainment featuring Renaissance music, comic Shakespearean improvisation, magicians and jugglers begins at 6:45 p.m.

Director Michael Arndt, artistic director of the company, is reprising his 1999 production of the tragic tale of treachery and violence. Macbeth, a lauded warrior who is less certain of his actions off the battlefield, follows a dark path and leaves destruction and sorrow in his wake.

General admission is $15 and free for children under 18. Reserved lawn box seating is $60 to $75.

Performances are outdoors. Guests are advised to dress warmly for the night air and bring low-back chairs or blankets for lawn seating.

For more information, visit www.kingsmenshakespeare.org or call (805) 493-3455.