“Macbeth”

[rating=5]When it comes to the works of Shakespeare, theater audiences are, for the most part, “in to it” or “not”! It is almost like a love/hate relationship. Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier has given us some of the finest versions of his works and of late, they have added a new formula for success with their presentations of Shakespeare’s works, Aaron Posner and Teller ( of Penn & Teller) are bringing a new look and experience to the classics. Last night, their re-imagined “Macbeth” opened in their new venue, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare. This is a new addition to the Pier and is an extraordinary theater, where they can change the layout to fit the play. Last year, this dynamic duo presented their ” The Tempest” and for the first time Shakespeare audiences were able to see some of the magic. Of course, with Teller, one has to expect that feature.

No matter how many times you may have witnessed “Macbeth”, until you see this version, the magic will not be the same. The play and in particular the solid production as co-adapted and directed by these two geniuses is filled with  magic, music, witches ( the three witches are amazing  as portrayed by McKinley Carter,  Emily Ann Nichelson and Theo Germaine), beheadings, blood and fear. With the magic of Teller, the presentation takes on a different look and the story parts become more meaningful.

For those unfamiliar with “Macbeth” the story is about Macbeth ( dynamic performance by Ian Merrill Peakes) and Banquo (Andrew White) as they come home from battle. They are met by the Weird Sisters/Witches who deliver strange prophecies. Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor and King, but it is Banquo who will become the sire to the next part of the royal family of Scotland. It quickly begins to take place, but now, to make the second part happen, Lady Macbeth ( powerfully brought to life by Chaon Cross) convinces her husband to take matters into his own hand. Macbeth becomes the new King, making the prophecy come true.

Macduff, Thane of Scotland ( deftly handled by  Timothy D. Stickney) is unsure of his new King, and so decides not to follow his rule. Macbeth is concerned as to the other part of the prophecy and cannot bear to think that it will be Banquo who fathers the next ruler of Scotland, so he hires two men to kill him and his son. They get the father, but the son escapes. Macbeth is fearful that fate has in store for him a bad ending and seeks out the Weird Sisters in order to see what lies ahead. What they tell him makes him go even “madder” and all ends badly for Macbeth.

This is a powerful cast: Ronnie Malley, Christopher Donahue, Adam Wesley Brown, Kyle Curry, Bret Tuomi, Edgar Miguel Sanchez, Samuel Taylor, Austin Molinaro, Jennifer Latimore, Phoenix Anderson, Micah Wilson, Reilly Oh, Matthew Floyd Miller, Cage Sebastian Pierre, Sam Pearson, LiSean ‘Ling Ling’ McElrah, Dylan Obrochta and  Alexander James Poe.  They tell the story with a new styling and even those who doze off during Shakespeare tragedies will find they are awake and alert for the entire production. Act One is an hour-twenty-minutes and Act Two, an hour, with a 20 minute intermission. An evening to remember!

As always, the technical aspects of the production are the finest! The set (Daniel Conway) is clever and of course designed with the magic of Teller in mind. The lighting (Thom Weaver) and sound/musical composition (Andre Pluess) and costumes (Mara Blumenfeld) are perfection. The magic design by Johnny Thompson is an effective way to keep the audience into the show and the fight choreography by Matt Hawkins, as always, powerful. The flow of the story and the pacing are what makes this a more powerful production. When an audience gets bored, they lose the story and their interest wanes. There is no place for this in the newest production of “Macbeth” which I would put on my MUST SEE list!

“Macbeth” will run thru June 24th at the Yard at Chicago Shakespeare at Navy Pier with performances as follows:

Price: $48-$88

Show Type: Drama

Box Office: 312-595-5600

www.chicagoshakes.com/macbeth

Open Caption  May 17th and 18th performances

ASL Duo-Interpretation June 8th

Audio description- June 10th with touch tour at noon

discounted parking is available

to see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Macbeth”