Youth cast of The Connie Company's "Macbeth, Unplugged," which runs this weekend. Click to watch a preview video.

Davidson Community Players has one production on the Armour Street Theatre stage this weekend, and another one in rehearsals for October – both directed by local theater veteran Wrenn Goodrum. The Connie Company youth theater group offers five performances of “Macbeth, Unplugged” Friday to Sunday. Meanwhile, the Players plan a production of A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters” Oct. 6-23.

‘MACBETH, UNPLUGGED’

Davidson Community Players’ Connie Company will present five free performances this Friday to Sunday, Sept. 23-25, of  “Macbeth, Unplugged,” a stripped-down and ramped-up adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. Performances are at the Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson.

With a cast of 20 teen-aged actors, director Wrenn Goodrum sets the story in the modern context of a video game. All the usual suspects are there – the Scottish King and his Lady Macbeth, MacDuff, Duncan, the ghost of Banquo and the infamous witches, who, in this production control the action of the play thru video controllers that grow out of the ceiling. The familiar themes of misguided ambition and deception leading to inevitable doom ring especially true given our current political climate.

The production is the culmination of a six-week workshop in which performers have researched the time period, style and background of this Shakespearean classic to better understand the play and its historical context. Their research has helped shape the costumes, set, lighting and properties design of the final production. Last year Davidson audiences saw this all-inclusive approach in DCP’s 2010 workshop production of “Midsummer Night’s Dream, Unplugged.”

Recommended for ages 10 and up. Performances: Fri., Sept 23, 7 pm; Sat., Sept 24, 1, 4 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 25, 2 p.m. All tickets are free, but reservations are recommended. Only a few seats remain for opening night.  Box Office: 704-892-7953. www.DavidsonCommunityPlayers.org

‘LOVE LETTERS’ ARRIVES IN OCTOBER

Davidson Community Players’ actors are rehearsing now for a production of A. R. Gurney’s Pulitzer Prize nominated drama “Love Letters” Oct. 6-23, at the Armour Street Theatre.

The play is a unique and imaginative celebration of the often lost art of old-fashioned letter-writing and the power it has to connect us emotionally and spiritually. The story chronicles the lifetime exchange of letters between two people who begin as friends, but grow up to lead separate lives, all the while sharing confidences.

Characters Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III discuss the hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and defeats that have passed between them throughout their lives. One important letter reveals how, while physically apart, Melissa and Andrew were as spiritually as close as only true lovers can be.

“Love Letters” is being directed by Wrenn Goodrum, who previously directed Davidson Community Players’ productions of “Charlotte’s Web,” “Stuart Little,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream –Unplugged,” and the currently youth production of “Macbeth –Unplugged” (see above).

Goodrum has cast three pairs of actors, each bringing a different dynamic and perspective to the roles. Opening weekend features retired Davidson College professor Max Polley and Nyra Brannon, his neighbor at the Pines Retirement Community.  Local actor Cat Rutledge and WFAE-FM’s “Charlotte Talks” host Mike Collins will collaborate on the second weekend. The final week-end’s performances will include Ginny Darcy, who has been seen on the Players’ stage many times, and Hess Wertz.

Here are the performance times:

• Thu Oct 6 at 8pm
• Fri Oct 7 at 8pm
• Sat Oct 8 at 8pm
• Sun Oct 9 at 2pm
• Thu Oct 13 at 8pm
• Fri Oct 14 at 8pm
• Sat Oct 15 at 8pm
• Sun Oct 16 at 2pm
• Fri Oct 21 at 8pm
• Sat Oct 22 at 2pm & 8pm
• Sun Oct 23 at 2pm

Performances at Armour Street Theatre, 305 Armour St., Davidson. Box Office: 704-892-7953. Info: www.DavidsonCommunityPlayers.org