BUCKHANNON, West Virginia  –  West Virginia Wesleyan College Department of Theatre & Dance presents a reimagining of Shakespeare’s ”MACBETH”  that is a funny look at events from the perspective of the three witches. 

This version, written and directed by Dr. Greg Mach, with a lot of help from William Shakespeare, is entitled “Macbeth Bewitched.” 

Warriors in Scotland are victorious over the Viking attackers, and are told by three “weird sisters” in prophecies that promotions are in order, and that, indeed, one of them, Macbeth, will become king. When the king pops by Macbeth’s castle for celebrations, Macbeth and his wife let ambition steer them into murder, and that’s just the beginning. The new king and queen will stop at nothing to stay in power, and the death count grows in this tragedy made a comedy by the crazy antics of those around them. 

The cast list includes Ashton Nardella ’26, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, as witch one, Elijah W. Dickey ’27, of Chloe, West Virginia,  as witch two, Julius Pretlow ’26, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, as witch three, and Jonathan Spellman ‘28, of Fairmont, West Virginia, as Macbeth. Ness Schauman ’29, of Elkins, West Virginia, appears as King Duncan/Hecate, Adrian Legg ’28, of Charleston, West Virginia, as Banquo, Heath Gilliam ’29, of Fayetteville, West Virginia, as Malcom and DeAndre Jones ’29, of Morgantown, West Virginia,  as Macduff.  Rhyan Sebring ’27, of Caldwell, Ohio,  portrays Fleance and Lady Macduff while Leigh Rice ’28, of Philippi, West Virginia, is Lady Macbeth. The Macduff Child is played by both Kendall Marcum ’29, of Hurricane, West Virginia, and Schauman. 

“MacBeth Bewitched” features scenic and lighting design by new designer and tech director Boyd Wolz, 

Costume design by guest artist Ruth Humphrey, fight choreography by guest artist Barbara Burgess-Lefebvre. Sarah Farlow ’29, of Webster Springs, West Virginia, serves as stage manager. 

Show times are Oct. 23-25 at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Oct. 25 in the Virginia Thomas Law Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at the door for $10 general admission, $8 seniors and $5 for WVWC students and community. 

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for 135 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 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