CSC artistic director Steven Maler directs the work, "taking inspiration from the oppressive military regimes of Central and South America," a release stated. The Bard tragedy spins a story of betrayal, power, greed and bloodshed.

Jay O. Sanders headlines in the title role. The actor has played in New York's equivalent to the "Shakespeare on the Common" — "Shakespeare in the Park" — in productions of The Taming of the Shrew, King John, Measure for Measure and Henry V. Other stage credits include Broadway's Loose Ends, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, Saint Joan and Off-Broadway's The Exonerated and Buried Child. Numerous screen appearances include "Along Came a Spider," "The Matchmaker," "Kiss the Girls," "JFK," "Glory," "Law & Order," "L.A. Law," and "Roseanne."

The cast also includes Jennie Israel as Lady Macbeth, Ben Evett as Banquo, Dan Domingues as Malcolm, Robert Walsh as Macduff, Baron Kelly as Duncan, Ted Hewlett as Lennox, Julie Jirousek as Lady Macduff and Bill Mootos as Ross. Ensemble members include Christina Bynoe, Douglass Bowen-Flynn, Jeff Gill, Christopher Hagberg, Georgia Hatzis, James Kelly, Owiso Odera, Oliver Poole, John Porell, Mara Sidmore and Lewis Wheeler.

Macbeth features the design team of Scott Bradley (scenic), Clint Ramos (costume), Linda O'Brien (lighting) and J Hagenbuckle (sound). Fight direction is handled by Robert Walsh and original music is by Hagenbuckle.

The Wang Center for the Performing Arts and the Poduska Family Foundation present the work. The staging marks the eighth annual "Free Shakespeare on the Common" production. Performances take place at the Parkman Bandstand in Boston Common. Past CSC presentations have included Henry V starring Anthony Rapp, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, Julius Caesar, As You Like It and Romeo and Juliet. CSC's inaugural 1996 production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream was staged at Copley Square.

For more information (and weather cancellation updates), call (617) 532-1212. Also visit www.commonwealthshakespeare.org.