[NEohioPAL] MACBETH of "Power and Glory" at Actors' Summit WSL Review

[Thackaberr at aol.com]

‘Macbeth’ brings power, glory to Actors’ Summit 
2/28/2008 - West Side Leader
By David  Ritchey 
Scottish play a  rough-and-tumble production
HUDSON — During the presidential-election  heat in this country, we are 
fortunate to get a look at power, the drive for  power and excesses of power. The 
play “Macbeth” is being performed in an  excellent production at Actors’ 
Summit Theater. 
William Shakespeare (1554-1616) wrote  “Macbeth” about 1603. In the Actors’ 
Summit production, the audience is made  acutely aware of the passion for 
power and how some people think they happen to  deserve power and the glory and 
the crown. 
In the Actors’ Summit facility, the  playing area projects into the room and 
is surrounded by the audience.  Shakespeare wrote for this type of theater. 
This production fits comfortably  into the playing area. 
This is a macho, rugged, fight-based  production, which is directed by Neil 
Thackaberry. Swords clang, people die and  blood flows. Macbeth (Thackaberry) 
has a goal. He wants to be king of Scotland.  He has been promised the crown by 
three witches. He believes the witches’  prophecy, and soon the wheels are 
set in motion to make him king. Interestingly,  some of the action that brings 
about Macbeth’s rise is outside of Macbeth’s  control. People die and suddenly 
Macbeth has a promotion to Thane of Cawdor and  gains the favor of the king. 
For centuries, the unexpected promotion of Macbeth  has been thought to be the 
work of the witches. 
Macbeth is helped in his thirst for  control by his wife, Lady Macbeth 
(MaryJo Alexander), who is as power hungry as  her husband. Together, they are a 
formidable pair. All that is between them and  the throne is King Duncan, who is 
spending the night in their guest chambers.  However, they don’t have the 
stomach for murder. Once they kill, they can’t get  past the deed and wash the 
blood from their minds in order to get on with their  lives. 
In addition to playing Lady Macbeth,  Alexander is responsible for the 
costumes. She dressed the show in clothing that  is reminiscent of the 16th century. 
However, the costumes have enough  anachronisms to give the show an 
any-century feel. In this production, the  variety of costumes styles is stage worthy 
and successful. 
Unfortunately, the lighting is a bit  dark. Too much of the action is lost as 
the performers moved in the  shadows. 
Thackaberry and Alexander fit their  roles. The audience gets to see a nice, 
friendly husband and wife become the  most difficult couple to cross a stage. 
Terry Burgler (King Duncan/Porter/Doctor)  makes his three roles distinct. 
Burgler, who was so successful in Weathervane’s  “Moon Over Buffalo,” proves 
once again he is a gifted actor with a wide range of  abilities. 
“Macbeth” is a satisfying production. If  Thackaberry and Alexander want to 
run for office, I’ll vote for them. 
The folks at Actors’ Summit make the  script accessible to the audience. It 
isn’t necessary to have had a course in  Shakespeare or to read the script 
before going to the theater. This production  works. 
“Macbeth,” which runs about  two-and-a-half hours, with one intermission, 
plays through March 9. For ticket  information, call (330)  342-0800. 
David Ritchey has a Ph.D. in  communications and is a professor of 
communications at The University of Akron.  He is a member of the American Theatre 
Critics Association. 




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