The cast and crew of Richmond Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” are well aware of the superstitions surrounding the show’s name.

In acting circles, it’s common to refer to “Macbeth” as “The Scottish Play,” “The Bard’s Play” or sometimes “Maccers,” as saying the play’s actual name aloud inside a theater is supposed to bring bad luck.

James Murphy, who stars as the Big Mac in the Richmond Shakespeare production opening this weekend at Dominion Arts Center’s Gottwald Playhouse, partially observes this tradition.

“I have no issue with saying ‘Macbeth’ outside of the theater,” Murphy says. “Inside of the theater I might try to censor myself a little bit, but sometimes it slips out. So far, knock on wood, nothing too terrible has happened.”

According to legend, the superstition began when a coven of witches objected to William Shakespeare featuring real incantations in the script for “Macbeth” and put a curse on the show. The woman playing Lady Macbeth in the show’s first performance supposedly died so suddenly that Shakespeare himself had to take on the role. Another rumor holds that an actor playing King Duncan was killed when real daggers were substituted for stage ones, resulting in his death.

And then there’s the Astor Place Riot of 1849. Rival actors were both portraying Macbeth in opposing New York City productions and their supporters became violent. Roughly 30 were killed and more than 120 were injured.

Marie Lucas, who plays Lady Macbeth in Richmond Shakespeare’s show, is unfazed by the superstition surrounding the play’s name.

“I say the whole thing,” she says. “I have irreverence for the name. I don’t think it’s unlucky. My husband and I almost named our daughter ‘Macbeth,’ but we decided against it at the last minute.”

In “Macbeth,” a Scottish general is told by a trio of witches that he will one day become King of Scotland. Driven by his own ambition and the encouragement of his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the throne. Paranoid and consumed with guilt, Macbeth commits further murders to protect himself.

“It’s about two powerful people in 11th century Scotland who decide to use their power to get more power at the cost of everything,” Murphy explains. “You witness the downfall of a husband and wife whose ambition outpaces reality.”

Murphy compares the play’s machinations to a certain popular HBO Max show.

“You’ve got this power vacuum, and then these people who are gunning for it, so there’s a lot of mistrust, there’s a lot of those kinds of power dynamics,” Murphy explains. “If you like ‘Succession,’ give them all swords and put them in 11th century Scotland.”

In Lady Macbeth, Lucas sees a master manipulator.

“She is very in love with her husband, but she is also very knowledgeable that he is not a perfect man, so she has this fierce love for him that can very quickly shift to fierce disappointment,” Lucas says. “There’s a lot of ping-ponging back and forth of what she expects from him and what she gets out of him.”

James Ricks, the show’s director says he came to regret dismissing the curse.

“I am not superstitious in the least,” Ricks says. “I mentioned it at the first read [of the script] and then a series of [minor] unfortunate production events slowly unfolded. Our stage manager made fun of me for saying that.”

Ricks says his production plays with the psychological effect on Macbeth of the witches’ prophecy.

“Once he starts to know it, he can’t unknow it,” Ricks says. “It’s not long before your ambition and your imagination get the better part of your ego and you find yourself doing things you wouldn’t normally do, like commit regicide.”

For Murphy, preparing for the show has meant hours of fight training and getting used to wielding a longsword.

“You don’t get that many opportunities to mess around with swords in your daily life, but it’s a joy,” Murphy says. “We come right out of the gate with a fury and we end with a bang. There’s not really a lull. I just hope that folks are prepared for a heck of ride.”

Lucas says audiences should be ready for a supernatural thriller.

“We’re taking you on a ride that is otherworldly,” Lucas says. “You’re going to be zapped into this fantastical world that doesn’t seem like it’s of this earth.

“If you want a little bit of murder, a little bit of lust, this is the show for you.”

Richmond Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” runs March 26-April 18 at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St. For more information visit richmondshakespeare.org or call 804-340-0115.