| Election-year mudslinging may seem like dirty business,
but politics has a long and infinitely creative tradition of
playing far dirtier than that, as evidenced by William
Shakespeare's classic tragedy Macbeth. Drawing
ties--strictly metaphorical ones--between today's political
maneuvering and the decidedly hands-on "politics" of long ago,
the Renegade Theatre Experiment will present Macbeth in
the setting of contemporary times.
The company opens its third season on April 16 with
Shakespeare's epic of ambition, conscience and destiny. The
production is presented in partnership with City Lights
Theater Company.
Thankfully, most methods of getting into politics these
days aren't quite as drastic or violent as those undertaken by
the Scottish baron Macbeth, who goes medieval on friends and
countrymen alike just to get the boss's job. Egged on first by
three witches who prophesize that he will be king, and later
by his wife, Lady Macbeth, whose ambition eclipses his own,
Macbeth covets the throne of the Scottish king, Duncan, and
will kill to have it for himself.
As living with the guilt of this act--and a few
others--becomes unbearable for both Mr. and Mrs. Macbeth, a
few lords begin to guess Macbeth's treachery, generally to
their own peril. But there is one prophecy of the witches that
Macbeth isn't so eager to see come to pass, and one rival
noble can fulfill it, thanks to a loophole (which seems to
prove that some things in politics never change).
The Renegade Theatre Experiment presents the Scottish Play
with an eye toward exploring the paradoxes raised in the play
and the dualities of good and evil, natural and unnatural.
Additionally, director Russ Marcel has also delved deeper into
the characters of the three witches who set events in motion.
Marcel has expanded their roles, so that like all forces of
darkness, they may show up when they're least expected.
Local actor and City Lights artistic director Tom Gough and
actress Leah Herman portray the couple that slays together.
Whitney Q. Stebbins, Sarah Almazol and Evangeline Maynard play
the three witches who stir up trouble.
Despite the dark story, this production isn't all dirty
deeds. Proceeds from the company's April 21 performance will
benefit Theatre Bay Area's Lemonade Fund, which provides
support for theater workers with terminal or life-threatening
illnesses.
Renegade Theatre Experiment presents Macbeth April
16May 1 (previews April 15) at City Lights Theater
Company, 529 S. Second St., San Jose. Tickets are $15$18.
For more information, call 408.351.4440 or see
www.renegadetheatre.com |
