BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – Clarksburg-based professional Shakespeare troupe the Rustic Mechanicals bring their Screaming Hearts Tour repertory productions of “Macbeth” and “Much Ado About Nothing” to the Wesleyan’s Virginia Thomas Law Performing Arts Center next Tuesday and Wednesday, April 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. The tragedy of “Macbeth” will show Tuesday, while the comedy “Much Ado” runs Wednesday night. Part of Wesleyan’s Arts Alive! Series, admission is free and open to the public.

In the wake of a battle, the Scottish warrior Macbeth receives a prophecy from a trio of witches: He shall be king. When fate doesn’t unfold quickly enough, Macbeth and his even more ambitious wife decide to give it a push in Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy.

In Messina, a group of soldiers returns from the trenches. The world weary Benedick and his friend Claudio find themselves reacquainted with Beatrice and Hero. As memories of conflict give way to a life of parties and masked balls, Claudio and Hero fall madly, deeply in love, while Benedick and Beatrice reignite their own rather more combative courtship. Shakespeare’s comic romance plays out amidst the brittle high spirits of a post-war house party, as youthful passions run riot, lovers are deceived and happiness is threatened before peace ultimately wins out.

“Macbeth” is directed by Jason A Young and “Much Ado About Nothing” is directed by Jim Warren, alongside Intimacy Director Jessica Morgan, Voice & Text Coach Bridget Rue Esterhuizen, and Movement Coach (Wesleyan Associate Professor) Tommy Schoffler, the productions feature technical direction by David Byard, costume design by Jason A Young, hair and  make-up design by Samantha Huffman, and dramaturgy from John S. Shirley.

The Mechanicals featured as performers in the productions include Josh Brooks, Isaac Covey, Justin Allan, Justin Grow, Clarence Finn, Sean Marko, Nicole Davis, Jason A Young, Sarah Young, and Niki DeWitt and Jim Matthews.

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West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan one of its 2022 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan a “Top 20” Best Value – Regional Universities (South) and one of the “Top 75” Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 40 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, and nursing; 22 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 70 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.