By Joel Applegate
Macbeth at the Lyric Repertory Company in Logan is blessed by all of its designers: Set, costumes, lighting, and even props. What a gorgeous production; I loved how it looked.
Set in what I would interpret as a modern, blighted, militant Scotland, Annie Burdzy’s set uses a fascinating graphic treatment in what I took to be daggers blown up into an abstract wonder. Dennis Hassan’s costumes are meticulous in their detail and specific in their effect; the witches punked out in an herbal nightmare, the begowned court trimmed in leather. Targeted lighting and projections by Steven Piechocki take us from stark chambers outlined in red to landscapes of ghosts. Even the furniture – especially when the banquet is served – enhance the elegant sterility of Lord and Lady Macbeth. Prop master Robin Perry chose well.
Speaking of banquets, the direction of this scene is very well managed by Director Adrianne Moore. Banquo’s ghost slides in and out almost imperceptibly, and the spotlights are timed to the moment, letting the audience know that Macbeth was seeing what no one else can. Timing and pace of this Macbeth are great throughout the five acts. The first scene of the play explodes onto the stage in the form of the famous three witches played by Madison Kisst, Sceri Sioux Ivers, and Morgen Kerian enthusiastically plying their dark art. They are greatly choreographed, though I thought as the play progressed, they seemed to replace nuance and emphasis with volume. This brings me to Chris Mansa as the titular royal.
As Macbeth, Mansa is quiet and imposing. I respected him immediately. He comes through the first few acts smoothly, becoming ever more intense. As much as I enjoyed watching him, I began to feel he was sacrificing his intensity for volume, relying on his powerful voice alone to carry the moment, which seemed unnecessary because he had already convinced us of his power.
On the other hand, subtlety and clarity are the hallmarks of Kelly Rogers’ performance as Lady Macbeth. Her rendition handles the language with assurance. Her first speech, reading her husband’s letter from the battlefield, is so well spoken that I actually learned more about this character than I had known before. Intention, rhythm, and character are all in sync. The choices she makes in the mad scene are inspired.
Our two too ambitious royals are well-supported by good performances by many in the cast: Trent Dahlin as Malcolm, Toby Tropper as Banquo, Mitch Shira as Macduff, and Wyn Moreno in the little appreciated but important role of Ross. Coming in at honorable mention in a short, pungent scene, the two murderers hired by Macbeth, Jennifer Vosters and Morgen Kerian, captured a dark, palpably decadent humor I’d never seen before. Their shuffling and their heavy-lidded, side-long peering insinuates lifetimes of grasping fumbles. They are Macbeth’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and deserve a Tom Stoppard treatment of their own.
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In a first for the Lyric Repertory Company, Macbeth is the only Shakespearean play they ever added to the regular season. Judging from the result, I certainly hope it’s not their last. Macbeth plays in repertory with three other productions this summer: Peter and the Starcatcher, Grey Gardens, and Sense and Sensibility. Because the Lyric is a repertory company, opportunities to see this beautiful production of Macbeth are limited; just six more performances are scheduled. Join the large crowd of loyal Loganites in celebrating their own theatrical treasures.
The Lyric Repertory Company has been soldiering on through decades of creative work, and together with the Utah Opera next door, there is great historic provenance in Logan’s own small but mighty theater district. Just being in these hundred-year-old theaters is a treat. Make it a road trip and check out vibrant, old downtown Logan’s wonderful tastes and sights.
Lyric Repertory Company presents Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Lyric Repertory Company, Caine Lyric Theatre, 28 West Center Street, Logan, Utah 84321
July 5-6, 13, 19, 21, 25 7:30 PM, July 7, August 4 1:00 pm
Tickets: $21-$35
Contact: 435-797-8022
Lyric Repertory Company Facebook Page
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