Macbeth

Macbeth

Classic Stage Company

October 26, 2019

Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

The Classic Stage Company has produced a heart-racing, one hour and forty-minute rendition of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.  Director John Doyle cuts right to the insatiable lust for power that drives the play, then overshadows it with the overwhelming sense of guilt that brings the downfall of the characters.  The cast of nine seamlessly move the action forward, skillfully portraying noble loyalty, voracious cunning, and vengeful retribution. 

Macbeth (played by Corey Stoll) is sought after by the three weird sisters (played by the ensemble) to predict his rise to power.  When his wife, Lady Macbeth (played by Nadia Bowers) hears the news, she devises a plan to hasten the events.  She manipulates her husband to kill King Duncan (played by Mary Beth Peil) to gain the throne.  He does the deed as planned and finds it only one of many slaughters to come.  He hires assassins to kill his friend Banquo (played by Erik Lochtefeld) in order to secure his position as king.  When the ghost of Banquo haunts him, Macbeth is propelled to visit the three weird sisters for an answer to its meaning.  Their revelations fuel Macbeth’s thirst for power and hide the clues to his imminent downfall.

Corey Stoll as Macbeth
Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

John Doyle’s choice to have the three weird sisters played by the ensemble is truly inspired.  The theater echoes with their unsettling verse and their evil is existent within every person on stage.  He ends the play with the same lines and formation as the opening, showing how this driving force of selfishness is ever present and seductive as events shift and move forward.

Corey Stoll portrays Macbeth as an honorable man, lured into making choices from which he cannot escape.  His character is changed after the murder of Duncan.  His physical and emotional transformation is clear and strong.  He spends the remainder of the play masking his emotional state as he continues to cause harm.  As he says to Lady Macbeth, “False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”  

Nadia Bowers as Lady Macbeth
Photo courtesy fo Classic Stage Company

Nadia Bowers is powerful as Lady Macbeth.  She conjures forces within herself to construct her plan and moves on it with unwavering determination.  Her mad scene is focused and unnerving.  Barzin Akhavan is strong as Macduff, and Raffi Barsoumian is passionate and innocent as Malcolm.  Mary Beth Peil is imposing as Duncan, and Erik Lochtefeld is loyal and gentle as Banquo. 

This production of Macbeth is boldly conceived and masterfully interpreted.  It is playing at Classic Stage Company through December 15.  If you are a Macbeth fan, as I am, you will truly enjoy it.

Domenick Danza

Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Booth Theatre

December 17, 2016

Photo courteys of Le Liaisons Dangereuses

Passion.  Betrayal.  Intrigue.  The Dunmar Warehouse production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses  presently playing on Broadway has them all.  Liev Shreiber and Janet McTeer are devilishly wonderful.  Director Josie Rourke directs the play with a subtle through line of tension that builds to a stunning admission of devastating truth by the main characters.  The style and smoothness of the production transports the audience into the frivolous and conniving world of 1780s Paris society. 

When La Marquise de Merteuil (played by Janet McTeer) tempts Le Viscomte de Valmont (played by Liev Shreiber) into ruining the reputation of young Cecile Volanges (played by Elena Kampouris), he surprisingly refuses.  He reveals that his plan of seducing the virtuous Madame de Tourvel (played by Brigitte Hjort Sorensen) is more challenging for him.  La Marquise de Merteuil wages a bet with him, and they play a game of cunning manipulation that forces them both to face the truth of their emotions.

Janet McTeer & Liev Scheiber
Photo courtesy of Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Janet McTeer brilliantly plays La Marquise de Merteuil.  She brings a deep level of understanding of the motivations of this complex character.  The gender demands of French society in the 18^th century cause her to develop almost sociopathic behavior that begins to crumble when she loses her power.  Liev Shreiber superbly underplays the cruelty of the character of Le Viscomte de Valmont.  This allows the audience to succumb to his charms and believe the revelation of his truer emotions.  Together these two actors masterfully create characters who willfully engage in a battel of power and seduction that undermines any sense of honor.

Brigitte Hjort Sorensen & Liev Shreiber
Photo courtesy of Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Brigitte Hjort Sorensen is moving as Madame de Tourvel.  Her resolve is strong, and her despair is deep and sincere.  Elena Kampouris is innocent and playful as Cecile Volanges.  Mary Beth Peil is wise and reserved as Madame de Rosemonde.  There are equally strong performances by Raffi Barsoumian, Ora Jones, and Katrina Cunningham.

The set and costumes, designed by Tom Scott, are breathtaking.  Details in the set suggest the building of a new a structure as well as the destruction of old architecture.  This dichotomy is thematic throughout the play.  His costumes beautifully evoke the time period.  They are elegant, yet show slight wear and fraying, depicting the imperfections of that social circle.  Movement direction by Lorin Latarro keeps the scene transitions flowing with grace and smoothness.  Each move of every character is precise and elegant, setting the tone and pace for the production.

Photo courtesy of Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Les Liaisons Dangereuses is a must see!  It is in a limited run at the Booth Theatre through January 8.  Be sure to see it. 

Domenick Danza