In March 2026, Will Kempe’s Players will bring a unique version of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” to
select Capital District locations. Company member Dan Smirlock has pared this shortest of
Shakespeare’s tragedies into a roughly-90-minute roller coaster through the Macbeths’ fierce love,
their usurpation of the Scottish throne, and their demise. According to Smirlock, his version is
“essentially a domestic drama… It matters that the characters are kings and queens, but it matters
more that they are spouses, parents (or not), and sons. “Macbeth”… offers the only presentation in
Shakespeare of a functioning (for better or worse) adult marriage… ”
Sandy Boynton, WKP’s Founding Artistic Director and the “Macbeth” director, lauds this adaptation
as “perfect for an audience largely unfamiliar with Scottish history or Renaissance England’s politics.
All the warriors—largely indistinguishable except for name— are condensed into two distinct
personalities—Lennox and Ross. And likewise Dan condensed all the servants—from the Porter to
the lady’s maid—into a single, elderly retainer. The language is all Shakespeare and all from
‘Macbeth,’ but the ‘new’ characters sharpen the focus; the political in this version is truly personal.”
The cast for “Macbeth” combines the performing talents of WKP company members Michael
Sinkora, R. Moore, Dan Smirlock, Jack D. Ellis, Shae Fitzgerald, Lita B. Carbone, Cameryn Coetzee,
and HG Warrender with those of newcomers Wells Bryce Liscomb, Anna Dempf, Barby Cardillo and
Anthony D’Annibale. Devin Trager and Dr. Krysta Dennis provide music and foley art. Phillip
Beattie is both scenic designer and stage manager. Shae Fitgerald designed and manages the
costumes. Marshal Langlois serves as assistant stage manager and understudy.
As usual, Will Kempe’s Players productions tour, but indoors for the winter season. “Macbeth” will
be first performed at Mt. Ida Preservation Hall in Troy, NY, from March 13-15. The following week,
on Saturday, March 21, “Macbeth” will play at the Washington Ave. Branch of the Albany Public
Library and on Sunday, March 22, at Murray’s Fool Distilling Company in Schenectady. The final
weekend of “Macbeth” performances, March 27-29, will be at the Shaker Heritage Site in Albany.
Details for every performance and ticket purchase information can be found on the Will Kempe’s
Players website: www.willkempesplayers.com/currently-performing.
Founded in 2017, Will Kempe’s Players is a worker-owned cooperative and is in their 9th season of
producing Shakespearean works through the Original Practices technique. In addition to their
standard fare, WKP has also staged original works, contemporary works, and devised adaptations of
classics. Their mission is to bring the practices and conditions of the Shakespearean stage into the
21st Century, through the works of Shakespeare himself and beyond. For more information, visit
http://www.willkempesplayers.com or follow @WillKempesPlayers on social media.