By Bailey Loveless
Presented by Utah Shakespeare Festival with the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley at the Harman Theatre, Macbeth is one of William Shakespeare’s bloodiest, most psychologically complex works, and this rendition is wickedly thrilling. Part of Utah Shakespeare Festival’s Shakespeare-in-the-Schools program, this production tours in schools throughout the Midwest, but is available to the public for two shows on March 29th and April 1st.
Spurred by his ambitions, his wife’s lust for power, and a witch’s prophecy, Macbeth (Tim Sailer) takes his fate into his own hands, lying and murdering to seize the Scottish throne. Director Michael Bahr embraces the gritty, fantastical elements of the play by giving the production punk rock vibes that incorporate the music of AC/DC and Bruce Springsteen. I felt like I was at a musical event as much as Shakespeare play with rock music blaring over the speakers as well as live renditions on the viola by cast member Jennifer Vosters and drums by actor Cordell Cole. Lighting Designer Scott Palfreyman fully embraces this concept with his vivid and exciting light design that not only uses traditional lighting but flashlights, headlamps, and lighted goggles that change colors.
Set design by Benjamin Hohman is minimalistic and industrial, adding to the punk rock atmosphere and making it easy for the set to accommodate different venues on the company’s tour. The actors use ladders of various heights, metallic garbage cans, and shelves made of piping and metal slats. It is simple but effective and atmospheric. Caitlyn Leyden truly sells the concept with her masterful costuming. Almost every actor plays multiple roles and has a distinct costume for each. Leyden uses different colors of plaid to distinguish each character’s Scottish clan like modern tartans. She also pairs each of the plaids wonderfully with black leather, tight pants, metal studs, and embellishments to give each character a steampunk, rock ’n roll look. I was amazed at how well these different elements combined together under the production team’s editing eye. It is eclectic but works wonderfully.
Sailer’s performance is commanding and impactful. He plays a grounded, strong, brave, ambitious Macbeth, which makes his gradual unhinging all the more enthralling. You can see the hint of corruption and darkness in Macbeth from the moment Sailer steps on the stage, making his eventual bloodlust all the more believable. In contrast, Stefanie Resnick plays up Lady Macbeth’s madness from the get go, making her erratic and flighty. Her depiction is not that of your typical villain. Resnick’s Lady Macbeth is just as funny and ridiculous as she is disturbing and terrifying. Resnick also had her work cut out for stepping into multiple roles throughout the night and gives a particularly hilarious performance as the Porter.
Cole also gives an incredibly strong performance as Macduff. Despite his limited stage time in the role, I was extremely moved by his character’s grief and quickly found myself rooting for him.
Vosters, along with playing the viola, also portrays Malcolm, Fleance, and other ensemble roles. I was particularly impressed with her transitions, frequently changing from omnipotent musician providing mood and sound effects to a character with limited knowledge, all without leaving the stage. I was never confused by her presence. Vosters’ multiple roles within the production are distinct from one another, and she handles her parts with seemingly ease.
Rounding out the cast is Karen Thorla as Banquo and Lady Macduff. I loved Thorla’s contrast between the two parts. She plays Banquo with sincerity and gruffness while giving Lady Macduff a strong yet elegant feel.
This production of Macbeth is bold, edgy, interactive, and wicked awesome. It runs at 75 minutes with no intermission with an additional 15 minutes of discussion with the cast afterwards. The material has been adapted for schools, so despite the dark subject matter, it is depicted tastefully and in a relatively family-friendly manner. There were several younger children in the audience, but parents should use their own discretion. With only one more public performance left, I highly encourage you to get yourself to the Harman Theatre on April 1st. Seating is open so get there early to snag the best seats!
Utah Shakespeare Festival and Utah Cultural Celebration Center presents Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Harman Theatre, 3333 Decker Lake Dr, West Valley City, UT 84119
March 29 and April 1, 7:00 PM
Tickets: $10 TICKET DISCOUNT CODE: Harman20
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