Shakespeare's "Macbeth" will take on an African flavor at this year's Colorado Shakespeare Festival with the creation of a tribal setting for the production by Director Sean Kelley and Choreographer Onye Ozuzu, based on West African and ancient Mayan cultures.
Two Ghanian drummers will perform in the show to help convey the classic tragedy as a folk tale. "Macbeth" opens with a preview performance Wednesday and runs through Aug. 17 at the Mary Rippon outdoor theater on the Boulder campus.
Kelley, who also is artistic director of the CU theatre and dance department's production staff, performed in the 1988 festival as Horatio in "Hamlet," which also featured Val Kilmer. He is a founding member and past artistic director of the Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Ozuzu is an assistant professor in the theatre and dance department and teaches African dance.
For information, schedules and tickets, call (303) 492-0554 or visit the Colorado Shakespeare Festival Web site, .