Stark Naked Theatre Concludes Season With MACBETH

Stark Naked Theatre Company concludes its award-winning second season with a bold interpretation of Macbeth, William Shakespeare's timeless and powerful tale of corruption, betrayal, fate, and the deadly consequences of unfettered ambition.

Following rave reviews and sold-out audiences for God of Carnage, Stark Naked Theatre's upcoming production of Macbeth features Philip Lehl and Kim Tobin--mainstays of the Houston theatre scene and co-founders of Stark Naked Theatre--portraying the dynamic roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Previewing June 6th, opening June 7th, and running until June 22, performances will be held Thursdays through Sundays (with a special "Pay What You Can" performance on Monday, June 17h) at Stark Naked's STUDIO 101, located at Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring Street in Houston, Texas, 77007.

Universally considered one of Shakespeare's greatest (and most bloody) tragedies, this thought-provoking play explores essential themes which remain as relevant to the human condition today as they were in Shakespeare's time, including: fate vs. free will, love vs. control, corruption, betrayal, and the consequences of ambition run amok. Loosely inspired by the reign of Macbeth, King of Scotland in the mid-eleventh century, the play opens with news of a triumphant war victory, and a prophecy by three witches that the heroic general Macbeth will one day become King. Initially intrigued by the prediction, Macbeth is relentlessly urged by his ambitious wife, Lady Macbeth, to seize the throne. The events that follow dramatically depict the political and psychological consequences of the Macbeths' moral descent.

Philip Lehl and Kim Tobin (Stark Naked's co-Founders and co-Executive Directors) reunite on- stage to portray the roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, under the direction of Kevin Holden, who also directed the pair in the critically-acclaimed production Dinner with Friends. Lehl, a classically-trained actor and Juilliard graduate, is well-versed in Shakespeare, and combined with his extensive teaching experience (Lehl offers Shakespeare master classes throughout the year to Houston-based professional and aspiring actors), he understands exactly what is required to make the Bard's timeless stories accessible to modern audiences. Lehl notes that "one of Stark Naked's core principles is a commitment to emotionally truthful acting. We've chosen Macbeth as the theatre's first classical production because of its raw and unblinking look at the psychology of human ambition."

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