Ambition is a powerful force, but paired with love, it can prove catastrophic. This October, Sweet Tea Shakespeare invites theatergoers to witness that destructive mix firsthand as they present a dark, moody, and elemental outdoor production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Staged on the historic grounds of the 1897 Poe House at the Museum of the Cape Fear, the production runs across two consecutive weekends: Oct. 1-4 and Oct. 8-11.
Directed by Michael Curtis Houck, this immersive interpretation takes audiences on a deeply unsettling journey where absurdity turns to horror and comedy curdles into tragedy. At its heart, the staging explores how a single catastrophic decision can unravel the lives of everyone in its wake.
Rather than portraying Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as classic villains who are inherently evil, Houck’s direction frames them as deeply human. When the play opens, they are simply a devoted couple genuinely in love. However, when presented with a tempting possibility to gain power and status, they lack the resolve to resist. They make an irreversible mistake, spending the rest of the story frantically working through the bloody consequences.
"They aren’t monsters when we meet them," the company notes, highlighting the psychological complexity behind the couple's descent into madness and guilt. The play promises to be “dark, moody…strangely funny, and increasingly terrifying,” making it a perfect way to kick off the spooky season. Audiences are invited to “come for the poetry. Stay for the chaos. Bring your love of Shakespeare. Maybe leave your ambition at home.”
Set outdoors in the round, the performance places the audience directly in the middle of the chaos. This intimate layout ensures spectators experience the unraveling of ambition, fate, and devotion at dangerously close range.
Sweet Tea Shakespeare is widely celebrated for blending traditional classical performance with lively contemporary sensibilities. True to their signature style, the performance begins with an engaging preshow featuring storytelling, stagecraft, and music, building an approachable yet atmospheric bridge into the classic text.
The venue itself enhances the mood. Set against the backdrop of one of Fayetteville’s most distinctive historic landmarks, the open air and shadow-draped lawn create an environment where the night feels darker and the emotional stakes carry real weight.
Audiences planning to attend should prepare for an evening of live theater that actively refuses to sit politely on a traditional stage. Content Advisory: Prospective viewers should note that the production contains depictions of blood, staged violence, murder, and suicide.
This community theater experience is made possible through support from key sponsors and regional partners, including The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, The Capitol Encore Academy and the Cumberland Community Foundation.
Tickets can be purchased online at sweetteashakespeare.com. Discounted tickets are available for senior adults, military and Gold Star families and students.
Gather your family and friends, settle onto the historic lawn, and get ready for a memorable night of classic poetry, psychological suspense and theatrical turmoil.

(Photo courtesy of Sweet Tea Shakespeare's Facebook page)