BATH —  The Chocolate Church Arts Center, located at 804 Washington St., announces the theatrical production of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” as the conclusion of their 2017-18 performance season. Described as one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, “Macbeth” is a dark and bloody drama of ambition, murder, guilt, and revenge directed by John Willey that debuts on the main stage Friday, June 1 at 7 p.m. and continues at the same time on June 2, 8, 9 and with matinees June 3 and 10 at 2pm. 

Tempted by an evil prophecy and encouraged by his wife ever deeper into his own dark ambition, Macbeth murders his way to the throne of Scotland. Shakespeare’s chilling tragedy is filled with ferocious battles, supernatural horrors, famously gorgeous poetry, and some of the Bard’s most vivid characters. 

“This play explores a striking dramatic portrait of a man of honor and integrity destroyed by a fatal character flaw and the tortures of a guilty imagination,” said John Willey, who founded Shakespeare on the Kennebec that annually partners with the Chocolate Church to present theatre classics. 

“Macbeth” features Clay Hawks of Bath in the title role and April Purinton of Harpswell as his Lady Macbeth. The cast also includes Mark Hazard of Auburn as Duncan; Dennis Crews of West Bath as Macduff; Vince Shatto of Woolwich as Ross; and Nate Levesque of Auburn as Banquo. Shannon LoCascio of Scarborough, Crystal Vaccaro of Gorham and Jacquelyn Mansfield of Auburn play the three mysterious witches. 

“Macbeth,” set amid the gloomy castles and lonely heaths of medieval Scotland, is suspenseful, epic, and beautiful all at the same time. The creative team is comprised of Jeanette Wolfarth of Portland (assistant derector), Melanie Willey of Bath (creative assistant), Devin Cromwell of West Bath (sound design), Kyle Aarons of Portland (fight director), and Carrie Hawks of Bath (production stage manager). Original music composed by Don Crandall. 

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are available by calling the Chocolate Church box office 207-442-8455 or purchase online www.chocolatechurcharts.org.

Clay Hawks as MacBeth and April Purinton as Lady MacBeth in the final seasonal production at the Choclate Church in Bath.