THEATER REVIEW:

Mounting a production of the “Scottish play” on Friday the 13th might be tempting fate, or at least the theater gods, but the folks at OCC’s theater department needn’t be concerned — they’ve got a monster hit on their hands.

OCC’s powerfully visceral production of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” staged by former student Peter Uribe in his directorial debut at the school, is among the most impressive projects from a local college in many years. Staged in an intimate arena format, the tragedy — one of the Bard’s bloodiest — virtually leaps into your lap.

This classic tale of murderous ambition features not only an outstanding 32-actor ensemble but an awesome sound track designed by Anders Neldin calculated to blow the audience away should the performers fail to, which they assuredly do not.

At the core of this estimable production is the title character, a superlative performance by Jay Wallace as the warrior coaxed into regicide only to discover that he has an unquenchable appetite for murder. Wallace delivers one of the most powerful, fully realized performances in memory.

Chloe Stewart excels as his even-more-ambitious wife, the sensual Lady Macbeth, whose portrayal of unbridled avarice is matched late in the play by her eerie rendition of the famed sleepwalking scene.

Winston Tao stretches his emotional range nearly to the breaking point as Macduff, whose family is slain by Macbeth’s order and who exacts a grisly revenge. Jake Wells is equally impressive as Banquo, another of the king’s victims, who returns as a ghastly, ghostly presence at Macbeth’s feast.

The kindly, ill-fated King Duncan is solidly enacted by OCC faculty member David Scaglione, who also designed the grimly imposing setting. Matt Gardner resembles the spooky Robert Pattinson of “Twilight” as he loyally executes Macbeth’s grisly commands — a character of few words but a malevolently dominating presence.

The clairvoyant witches (Shakespeare dubs them the “weird sisters”) are stealthily portrayed by Michelle Mia Merlino, Shala Famouri and Liliana Frandset. Three other such specters appear later in the show in what appears to be hedonistic overkill. Chris Deacon does quadruple duty as the tipsy porter, playing to the groundlings, and others.

The final clash between Macbeth and Macduff is splendidly staged in fits and bursts with both actors using their athletic prowess as well as interpretive abilities.

No time or place is given for this production, though we realize it’s Scotland in a more modern setting, given the presence of firearms as well as swords.

Megan Gurdine’s dark-hued costumes suggest a gothic touch.

Even if Shakespeare may not be your cup of tea, OCC’s “Macbeth” will grab you and hold you for the better part of three hours. It’s a high-water mark in local collegiate theater.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “Macbeth”

WHERE: OCC, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa

WHEN: Closing performances at 8 tonight through Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday

COST: $12 to $15

CALL: (714) 432-5880

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews appear Thursdays.