[NEohioPAL] MACBETH opens at Actors' Summit

[thackaberryn at actorssummit.org]

For Immediate Release
For additional information contact: 
Neil Thackaberry (330) 342-0800
Hudson, Ohio 


MACBETH
Opens at Actors? Summit

Macbeth, William Shakespeare?s tragedy of ambition, murder and witchcraft, will have a preview performance on February 21. The official opening on February 22th will be followed by a reception for the cast and audience. The play will be performed through March 9th at Actors? Summit Theater in downtown Hudson. The play is performed Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Five additional performances have been added to accommodate school groups.

The Play

Based on stories of Scottish history, the play tells the story of Macbeth?s rise to the kingship by assassination. Complicating what could be a simple story of ambition are the witches, who tell Macbeth that he will one day become king. They also predict that the children of Macbeth?s friend Banquo will in the future be Kings. The two prophecies help to set Macbeth on a murderous path that finally leads to civil war. In addition to the influence of the witches, Lady Macbeth?s ambitions help push Macbeth into action. 
The play was probably first performed in 1603. Scholars assign this date because of internal references that may relate to King James I of England. James traced his ancestry to Banquo and had a strong interest in witchcraft.

The play is also one that is the source of a long tradition of superstition. Theater folklore has it that Shakespeare used actual spells in the play and in retribution, the witches of England put a curse on the play. In theaters throughout the English speaking world, the title of the play is never spoken in the theater. Instead, Macbeth is simply referred to as ?the Scottish play.?

The Cast
Leading the cast are the co-artistic directors of Actors? Summit -- MaryJo Alexander (Lady Macbeth) and Neil Thackaberry. MaryJo holds an MA in theater from the University of New Orleans where she was a member of the Resident Acting Company.  Neil Thackaberry (Macbeth) has performed at the Cleveland Play House, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, and Ensemble Theatre in addition to a wide range of roles at Actors? Summit. 

The witches are lead by Actors' Summit regular Sally Groth who doubles in the role of Lady Macduff. Accompanying her are Rachel Maria Anderson a recent graduate of The University of Akron and Jocelyn Roueiheb. Both Rachel and Jocelyn will be making their second appearance on the Actors? Summit stage. 
Terry Burgler does triple duty playing King Duncan, the Porter, and the Doctor. He is the founding artistic director of the Ohio Shakespeare Festival. Geoffrey Darling plays Banquo and Mentieth, adding to his credits of having played Macduff in London and Macbeth in New Zealand. Nick Koesters, returns to the Actors? Summit stage in the role of Macduff. David McNees, having played Creon earlier this season in Medea, portrays Ross. Keith Stevens plays Malcolm, his fourth role in the current season. Daniel Taylor plays Lennox, returning to the Actors? Summit stage for the fourth time. John Galbraith, Kevin Farmer, Charles Walker and Erica DeRoche complete the cast. 

Performance Schedule
Macbeth will have a preview performance on February 21.  The official opening on Friday, February 22 will be followed by a reception with the cast.  Regular performances continue through March 9, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. School matinees are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 27, 28, March 4, and 6. A special 7:00 p.m. performance is scheduled for Wednesday, March 5. 

Tickets
Tickets are $25 on Fridays & Saturdays, $22 on Thursdays & Sundays. College students and seniors receive a $2 discount at all regular Thursday and Sunday performances.  Students under age 18 are admitted for half price at all performances.  Remainder of season subscriptions are available.  Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. 
Tickets can be purchased on line at www.actorssummit.org or by phone by calling (330) 342-0800.  
Web site
Actors? Summit Theater can be found on the web at www.actorssummit.org.