[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of A Noise Within’s production of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, directed by Andi Chapman and running through March 9.
Power and ambition. Weakness and guilt. Obsession and grief. Mix in war, the dark, cold Scottish winter, and some witches and you have Macbeth. In his final and grimmest tragedy, Shakespeare was venting a lot and came as close as he dared to his King, James I. Although it was written five centuries ago, it’s just as relevant as ever. Such is the endless darkness of men I suppose. And women…
This production of Macbeth sets the action in New Orleans, sometime in the 1920s which gives the grimness a slightly spicy flavor, but doesn’t really interfere with the themes or the drama.
Does it make it more interesting? Perhaps. I certainly saw a little deeper into Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship. It felt more vivid somehow. However, that could be because the actors playing these titular roles were so incredible. Particularly Lady Macbeth, who is played by Julanne Chidi Hill with more warmth than I have seen before, more nuance, brokenness, and even a little empathy.Â
But everyone on stage is excellent, from the child actors to the elder statesmen. All acting their socks off in this fast-paced violent tale. The play runs a steady course toward ruin. There’s a distinct rhythm, a gathering pace, an unhinging that becomes more and more clear in Macbeth while Lady Macbeth seems to resign herself to their inevitable fate long before he does.
Macbeth is a role so many actors yearn to play and I can understand why. Macbeth has no time or will it seems to prevent his fall. From the very beginning of the play, we sense his ambition, but only Lady Macbeth knows the lengths he will go to fulfill it.
Yet, it’s a timely piece then isn’t it? Macbeth was never good. Never the hero who most of those around him thought he was. The witches knew it. His wife knew it and all of them tried to manipulate him to their will. But, in the end, I think he chose to surrender to the madness of his path. As if he saw it more clearly than any of them. Kamal Bolden plays Macbeth with eyes wide open. But, when we look into them, we see a wasteland.Â
A Noise Within has yet again surprised me. Under Andi Chapman’s direction, this gorgeously staged production releases it from the more familiar sense of struggle Macbeth has. Humanizing this iconic couple in some ways and in others exposing the monster early on and utterly. It’s an absolutely wonderful version of Shakespeare’s darkest and most relentless tragedy. We watch in horror as a man brings his world to its knees as his mind falls apart. How the lessons of six centuries ago can help us I do not know…but here’s to hoping.
Macbeth Cast
A cast of acclaimed A Noise Within regulars will take the stage, with Kamal Bolden starring in the title role opposite Julanne Chidi Hill as Lady M.; Ben Cain as Macduff; Mildred Marie Langford as Lady Macduff; Alex Morris as Duncan; Ned Mochel as Ross; Michael Boatman as Banquo; Randy Thompson as Malcolm; and Joy DeMichelle, Roshni Shukla and Langford as the weird sisters. The ensemble includes Noemi Avalos, Brooklyn Bao, Norman Campos, Joseph Darby, Robert De Loza, Tony Jimenez, Daniel Kim, Howard Leder, Angel Monzon, Koa Spiegel and Ahkei Togun.
Macbeth Team
The creative team includes scenic designer Stephanie Kerley Schwartz; lighting designer Andrew Schmedake; sound designer Jeff Gardner; projections designer Nicholas Santiago; costume designer Wendell C. Carmichael; wig and makeup designer Tony Valdés; and properties designer Stephen Taylor. Indira Tyler is dance choreographer, Ned Mochel is fight chorographer, and original music is composed by Dontae Winslow. Dr. Miranda Johnson-Haddad is the dramaturg; Jessica Williams is the assistant director; and Sami Hansen is the production stage manager.
Tickets:
https://www.anoisewithin.org/play/macbeth/
Where:
A Noise Within
3352 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
When:
February 9-March 9
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. (no matinee on Saturday, Feb. 15; dark Thursday, March 6).
****
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