'Macbeth' performance turns out more 'fair' than 'foul'
Caitrin Shirazi
Issue date: 6/23/09 Section: Entertainment
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Khris Lewin's portrayal of the power-mad Macbeth was unblemished. His display of the character's ever-changing emotions was done with uncanny gusto. Macbeth's grief, anger and madness were made real and weren't doubted for a moment.
"I have to say act five of Macbeth is my favorite part of the play because it is the reward Shakespeare gives you for making it through four acts of incredibly heightened theatrical technicality," Lewin said. "In those previous acts, you have to see an invisible dagger, hear voices no one else hears and see ghosts that no one else sees but in Act 5, you really get to rock and roll. "
While this festival isn't Lewin's first time playing Macbeth, it is his first time visiting Nebraska.
"This is my third time as Macbeth," Lewin said. "My first was in 1996, and it's haunted me ever since."
Another actor worthy of praise is Maryann Towne for her role as Lady Macbeth. Towne's performance enrapt on-lookers and stirred emotions as she portrayed Macbeth's equally disturbed and power-hungry wife.
"The company was just so welcoming, everyone has been so nice and kind," said Towne of her time spent in Nebraska. "It's great to come into a company that has worked together before. They work together so well and make things enjoyable for new people coming in. I would love to come back to Nebraska."
Overall, the cast was exceptional and included Jason Francis as the fervent hero Macduff; Matt King and Qadir Khan as the sons of King Duncan; and Vincent Carlson-Brown as the faithful yet betrayed Banquo.
Maria Vacha, Shannon Jaxies and Sarah Carlson-Brown gave a bewitching performance as the ghastly Weird Sisters.
"There aren't a lot of women's parts in Shakespeare," Jaxies said. "I think my favorite part of being a witch is that not all of the female parts in Shakespeare have as much power as they do - the witches have control over everyone in Macbeth."
Even smaller roles such as the porter at Macbeth's castle, played by debuting Nebraska Shakespeare actor Brendan JD Reilly, were performed almost flawlessly.
Reilly sent ripples of laughter through the crowd with his drunken mischief yet was capable of taking on a serious role when the scene called for solemnity.
"My first year with NSF has been amazing. There are so many creative minds that go into making this show and I'm proud to be a part of it," Reilly said. "It's a wonderful tradition, and hopefully I can keep performing for years to come. Now that I've participated, I can see myself coming back and auditioning year after year, no matter where I go from here."
Also making his first appearances with the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival this season is 8-year-old Quincy Ellefson as young Macduff.
Ellefson played Tiny Tim in the 2007 and 2008 productions of "A Christmas Carol" at the Omaha Community Playhouse, a cast member in UNO's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," was a model for the "Fertile Ground" mural in downtown Omaha and will appear in the independent film "The Journal."
This event proved to be a great experience for actors as well as audience members.
"My favorite part of this was growing a beard and going into battle like a true man of Shakespeare," said third season NSF actor and UNO alum, Matt King - Donalbain.
Even though Saturday's showers didn't let up until late in the afternoon, approximately 1,100 people still made it to the performance.
"There was a lot of backstage communication, warning of puddles on stage left and toning down scenes like Banquo's death so no one fell or got hurt," said With No. 2, Sarah Carlson-Brown.
If you missed the first set of shows, the production of Macbeth will continue in Elmwood Park for a final weekend of performances from June 24 to June 28.
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