By Holly Jo Evans, student news writer, Office of University Communications

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Coming to the close of the spring semester at Campbellsville University means it's time for “Shakespeare Under the Stars.”

Community Trust Bank, Town Hall Productions and Campbellsville University Theater will present Shakespeare's “Macbeth” at the Lone Valley Barn, 723 Lone Valley Road, Campbellsville. The show begins at 8 p.m. on May 8-11.

“Macbeth” is a classic tale of a man who becomes king by murder and treason.

Set in a future-feudalistic period after the U.S. national government has been dismantled, this story of Macbeth begins toward the end of the Second American Revolutionary/Civil War, when our nation is post Democrat and Republican, post liberal or conservative and post “peaceful solution.” All have resolved to choose a side, and the greatest potential casualties are the blind loyalists and the undiscerning. This narrative interrogates multiple layers of human failure and attempts to define success in the midst of a war-inevitable during our nation's continued search for a “liberty for all.”

A notable warrior named Macbeth encounters three witches who prophecy his would-be kingship. Overtaken by what seems to be a supernatural mission and galvanized into acting in agreement with the prophecy by his wife, Macbeth butchers his king, Duncan, and claims Duncan's title for himself. Faced with his criminality, and battling psychosis, Macbeth is forced to continue down a frenzy of murder and crime in order to maintain and promote his tyrannical status. As the civil war comes to a close, Macbeth faces a noble warrior whose family he butchered and comes face to face with the impossible as well as predestination.

The cast includes the following: Macbeth - Jon Heineman, Campbellsville, Ky.; Lady Macbeth - Jenny Kawa, Manhattan, N.Y.; Witches - Holly Jo Evans, Barbourville, Ky., England Blye, Louisville, Ky. and Lauren Phillips, Campbellsville, Ky.; Macduff - Khalil Baker, Hopkinsville, Ky.; Malcolm - Joseph Mattingly, Loretto, Ky.;

Duncan - Les Chadwick, Campbellsville, Ky.; Banquo - Josiah Marineau, Campbellsville, Ky.; Donalbain - Austin Belt, Campbellsville, Ky.; Ross - Dalton Adkins, Campbellsville, Ky.; Angus - Noah Hutchins, Springfield, Ky.; Lennox - Chris Gibbs, Campbellsville, Ky.;

Siward - Jeremy Hall, Campbellsville, Ky.; Young Siward - Luke Hesson, Campbellsville, Ky.; Fleance - Peydon Hall, Campbellsville, Ky.; Doctor, Porter - Shawn Williams, Campbellsville, Ky.;

Lady Macbeth's Gentlewoman - Olivia Helm, Big Clifty, Ky.; Lady Macbeth's Servant - Emily Burchett, Campbellsville, Ky.; Macbeth's Servant/Seyton - Conner Thrasher, Campbellsville, Ky.; Lords - Max Cobb, Lebanon, Ky. and Zachary Brady, Lebanon, Ky; Murderers - Noah Hutchins, Springfield, Ky.; Jaleel Cowan, Campbellsville, Ky. and Lauren Phillips, Campbellsville, Ky.

Andrew Ward of Town Hall Productions is the producer; Nathan Allen, assistant professor of theater at Campbellsville University, is the director, and Alia McClendon is the tech director.

Holly Jo Evans of Barbourville, Ky., is the stage manager; Haley Saylor of Monticello, Ky., is the costume designer; Jaleel Cowan of Campbellsville, Ky., is the witches' costume designer,; Whitley Howlett of Louisville, Ky., is the makeup designer, and Matt Nall is the set builder.

There is no set ticket price for this show. You are welcome (and encouraged) to pay what you are able. You may either donate through an online form or upon arrival at the production. Seating is limited, so please make a reservation online at https://townhallpro2013.ticketleap.com/macbeth/.

The corporate sponsors for the event are: Tucker Family Medicine, Crossroads Animal Clinic, Family Eyecare, Sweetwater Bookshop, Papa John's Pizza and The Smile Center.

Andrew Ward said, “Parents, please note that this is one of Shakespeare's darker plays. We recommend the appropriate age would be approximately 12 and above. However, when deciding whether or not to bring your children, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the story. This production does honor the original script by exploring and staging themes of war, domestic abuse and murder.”

For more information or questions, email theater@campbellsville.edu.

Campbellsville University is a widely-acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 12,000 students offering more than 90 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The university has off-campus centers in Kentucky cities Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville and Liberty with Kentucky instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville. The university also has a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.