Theater opens 'Macbeth" tonight on its main stageBard returns to TCT

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Apr 18, 2008 by Bill Blankenship

By Bill Blankenship

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

The Bard is back at Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy, which tonight opens "Macbeth," its fourth Shakespearean production in six years.

In addition to nine public performances before closing May 3, the classic tragedy about greed for power and its toll also will be staged twice for area high school students with more than 800 of them expected to attend.

Although wary six seasons ago about whether audiences would buy tickets to see Shakespeare, TCT mounted a production of "Twelfth Night" on its second stage, the first time it had done Shakespeare in 44 years.

"Twelfth Night" was such a hit, TCT took Shakespeare to its main stage with "Romeo and Juliet" in 2004 and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in 2006.

"We've had tremendous ticket sales, and this time is no exception," said Reilly, who directs "Macbeth."

The appeal of Shakespeare for actors is obvious.

"Playing Shakespeare is like driving a Ferrari, and only the best get in that Ferrari," Reilly said.

Some audience members might have to overcome a Shakespeare bias formed years ago in school, he said.

"A lot of people are put off by Shakespeare because they think, 'Well, I'm not going to be able to understand the language,'\u2009" Reilly said.

"With 'Macbeth,' everything is on the surface," he continued. "Everything is very visceral and immediate. You feel the emotion boiling to the top. It's a great revenge tragedy. There is no way you're going to miss a moment of the show."

In the play, which is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy, Lady Macbeth (Alexandra Reilly) convinces her husband, Macbeth (Dan Heinz), to murder Duncan (Eddie Shirron), the king of Scotland. Both go mad as a result, and the country descends into civil war.

"Macbeth" was set at a time when Christianity was emerging in Scotland, and TCT's version of the play pits the new religion against ancient mysticism in the form of a trio of witches played by Amy Burgardt, Kathryn Keyes and Britani Winberry.

"Our witches are not old hags who are hanging over a pot," Reilly said. "Our witches are three very pretty, very intelligent, very vital and very dangerous young women, who, if you turn your back on them, they will take you apart."

Other cast members are Lennox (Jeff Chanay), Doctor (Jim Claussen), Banquo (David Crawford), Murderer No. 2 / Servant (S. Robert Dipaling), Macduff's Son (James\u2008Fenoglio), Porter / Angus (Gary\u2008Foiles), Gentlewoman (Erin M. Gerety), Murderer No. 3 (Daniel Gilchrist), Messenger No. 1 / Lady in Waiting No. 1 (Michelle Haas), Priest (Doug Hamilton), Malcolm (Thomas J. Hughes), Macduff / Bleeding Captain (Scott Kickhaefer), Siward / Caithness (Ralph Krumins), Menteith / Murderer No. 1 (Randy Lambrecht), Fleance (Christian\u2008Mullen), Lady in Waiting No. 2 (Annalise Olsen), Ross (Willie Opper), Lady Macduff (Jesyca Rodenberg), Seyton / Messenger No. 3 (Gerald Schmidt) and Donalbain / Young Siward (Seth Synovec).

The production team includes Adam Jenks, technical assistance; Kate Stires, costume designer; Shaun Marcotte, projection designer; Kodi Peterson, stage manager; and Virginia Starr, prop coordinator.

Bill Blankenship can be reached

at (785) 295-1284

or bill.blankenship@cjonline.com.