The first actor to audition for Shakespeare Coeur d’Alene is playing the eponymous lead in the nonprofit's production of "Macbeth."

"It’s iconically goth. What could be cooler than that?" actor Nick Kittilstved said during a Sept. 24 rehearsal. “As somebody who was obsessed with Tim Burton when I was in high school, this is like a dream come true for me."

The curtains will rise on Shakespeare Coeur d'Alene's production of "Macbeth" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Kittilstved, an English teacher who first read "Macbeth" when he was a Post Falls High School student, said the play contains the obvious message of the corruption that accompanies wanting and seeking power.

“The interesting thing we’re doing in the story that is different than a lot of the versions that I’ve seen is that we are really hyper-focusing on the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth," Kittilstved said. “These are two people who would literally do anything for each other."

The tragedy of "Macbeth" tells the story of the rise and fall of a Scottish general. Witches foretell of Macbeth overtaking the throne, which his wife, Lady Macbeth (Shoshana Rubli), urges him to do by force. Macbeth ultimately realizes things are not as they seem and pays the ultimate price.

“It’s very much a good vs. evil play," director Mary Bowers said.

“There’s going to be a lot of action, there’s going to be a lot of blood," she said. "We've got two battle scenes, we’ve got horror elements."

One main theme of the play is, "Fair is foul and foul is fair."

“Our witches represent that,” Bowers said. “At first glance, they’re going to be beautiful. They’re wearing white, wearing veils, they’re almost bridal. But there is going to be horror beneath the veil, which won’t be revealed right away.”

Although the show is not recommended for audiences 12 and younger, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy seventh grader Sam Rubli, Shoshana's son, plays two roles as Fleance and Young Siward.

"I'm a theater kid," he said.

Sam said he has enjoyed learning the play, especially the combat aspect. He said audiences will have a lot to look forward to.

“I think they’re going to feel scared, intimidated and surprised,” he said.

The Halloween-inspired "Macbeth" will run through Oct. 26 at the Midge and Pepper Smock Family Theatre at the Kroc, 1765 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d'Alene.

Tickets range from $28-$33.

Info: shakespearecda.org

    Young Siward (Sam Rubli), right, goes after Macbeth (Nick Kittilstved) during a Sept. 24 rehearsal. Shakespeare Coeur d'Alene's "Macbeth" opens Thursday.