Eye of newt

Shakespeare festivals come in different sizes. The Sacramento Shakespeare Festival is—quite deliberately—small and local, utilizing resources at nearby Sacramento City College and giving community actors a shot at all those juicy classic parts. Understandably, the shows aren’t quite as sumptuous as what you’d find at a big festival, but they often stand nicely on their own terms … and you don’t have to drive all over hell and creation to get to them. It’s also a refreshingly casual series—no reserved seats, no Web site—with a lovely green lawn adjacent to the outdoor stage that makes a lovely setting for a pre-show picnic.

A case in point is the current production of Macbeth. Director Luther Hanson goes for the “Witch Conspiracy Theory,” deploying an abundant 10 witches (Shakespeare calls for three), who not only tempt Macbeth, but also hover at the edges of the stage, cackle behind the scenes and gleefully retrieve the bodies that pile up as Macbeth’s ambition takes a merciless toll.

Blair Leatherwood takes the title part—a 180-degree turn from his role as the redemptive Scrooge six months ago. Leatherwood enters looking more like an office worker than a mighty warrior fresh from the battlefield. But (spurred by the witches) he soon illustrates Macbeth’s internal debate over whether to murder his way to the throne. By intermission, Leatherwood is sporting a nervous intensity that serves the part well.

Brett William also gets in some good scenes as Macduff, and sturdy James Roberts brings presence and gravity to his part as Ross—a role often overlooked. Bagpiper Chuck Jamison is an added plus.

There are a few problems. Some supporting actors speak their lines without picking up the power and music of the language, and the sound system continues to be a problem.

But on the whole, the production works. And since the region’s professional theater companies almost never take on Shakespearean tragedies (they require too many actors!), this show is your best opportunity to see a great play like Macbeth without having to leave town.