“Something Wicked This Way Comes.”

By Keith Waits

Entire contents are copyright © 2020 by Keith Waits. All rights reserved.

If memory serves, the last live play with an audience in attendance was in the middle of March, some seven months ago. As local companies struggle to deliver alternative content: play readings and radio productions streaming to your computer or phone, the audience has been able to take theatre with them wherever they go, but is it theatre?

Kentucky Shakespeare will be the first to mount a production for an audience with an immersive, site-specific new drive-in production of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Macbeth. The hour-long, 7-actor live theatre experience was created in direct response to COVID-19, with audience members viewing from the safety of their closed vehicle, listening to the production via short-range FM radio transmission. The production runs October 7-31 in the former site of the Louisville Metro Recycling Center at 1297 Trevilian Way, in Joe Creason Park, across the street from the Louisville Zoo.

Set in a future dystopian society, the production is directed by Producing Artistic Director Matt Wallace and features a cast of Kentucky Shakespeare actors with Brian Hinds as Macbeth, Jennifer Pennington as Lady Macbeth, Dathan Hooper as Macduff, Jon Huffman as Duncan, Zachary Burrell as Banquo, Angelica Santiago as Lady Macduff, and Braden McCampbell as Malcolm. All actors also play other roles in this ensemble production. Donna Lawrence-Downs is the Costume Designer, Jesse AlFord is the Lighting Designer, Karl Anderson is the Scenic Designer, Laura Ellis is the Sound Designer, Eric Frantz is the Fight Choreographer, and Gregory Maupin is the Editor/Dramaturg.

“It’s been a long road to get here, navigating challenges of this pandemic, but we’re delighted to be able to return to live, in-person Shakespeare with this new experience,” says Matt Wallace, Producing Artistic Director. “It’s a pretty great feeling to create live theatre again, following the postponement of our in-person summer season. We’re ready to share this classic tragedy in a new, visceral way through imaginative storytelling and safe, in-person human connection.”

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot

MACBETH

October 7-31, 2020 – 8:00PM

Location
1297 Trevilian Way
Louisville, KY 40213

Preview performances: October 7 & 8
Running Wednesdays through most Sundays

Tickets: $25
(one ticket per vehicle, advance purchase required, not available at the door)

For tickets and information visit: kyshakespeare.com

Run-Time: 60 minutes without an intermission
Rating: PG-13

  • The vehicle must have working FM-radio to listen to production (tuning info provided upon arrival)
  • SUVs/vans will be required to park in the third row for sightlines.
  • Audience members are expected to remain inside their vehicle during the production unless they need to use the portable restroom facility.