by William Shakespeare
directed by Christopher Johnson
at The Viaduct
October 27 – December 16, 2000
“The whole production has the rough, raw air of a medieval mystery play, charged with violence and spiritualism.”
Chicago Tribune
“If Shakespeare were this exciting in school, he’d be bigger than Harry Potter.”
Chicago Free Press
“If there’s one word to describe Defiant Theatre’s Macbeth, it’s “Wow!”
Lerner Booster
We liked the classics. We just hated the way most people suck the blood out of the Bard.
We delivered a Macbeth that didn’t soft-pedal the greed, the terror, or the grief. We told a tale in unbelievable images and fantastic words, a vision that made the metaphysical physical. And we proved that what Shakespeare wrote is still shocking today.
So when something wicked this way comes, well, we’ll take it as a compliment.
Setting
Scotland
Time
The Dark Ages
Cast
(in order of appearance)
Lady Gruoch Macbeth, wife to Macbeth, later Queen of Scots … Krissy Shields
Macbeth mac Findlaech, Thane of Glamis, later Thane of Cawdor, afterward King of Scotland … Christopher Thometz
Banquo, Thane of Lochaber … Geoff Coates
Rosse, Thane of Rosse … David Skvarla
Lenox, Thane of Lenox … Michael Mazzara
Angus, Thane of Angus … Ryan Oliver
King Sweno, of Norway … Steve Welsh
Soldiers, of Norway … Jennifer Gehr
… Sam Muñoz
… Richard Ragsdale
… Lisa Rothschiller
… Sean Sinitski
Macdonwald, a Captain of the rebellion … Ted Lesley
The Weyward Sisters, three Witches … Heather L. Tyler
… Cherise Silvestri
… Stefanie Neuhauser
Malcome Canmore, son to Duncan, later Prince of Cumberland, afterward King of Scotland … Jim Slonina
Attendant, to Duncan, afterward, Murderer … Aaron Boucher
Attendant, to Duncan, afterward, Murderer … Sam Muñoz
King Duncan I mac Crinan, of Scotland … Will Schutz
Donalbaine, son to Duncan … Justin Fletcher
Gentlewoman, to Lady Macbeth … Stefanie Neuhauser
Porter, to Macbeth … Steve Welsh
Fleance, son to Banquo … Cherise Silvestri
Seyton, Grand General of the Infernal Hierarchy … Richard Ragsdale
Demons, denizens of the inferno … Aaron Boucher
… Ted Lesley
… Kevin James Murphy
… Neal Simons
… Heather L. Tyler
Macduff, Thane of Fife … Sean Sinitski
Old Woman, a healer … Jennifer Gehr
Cathnes, Thane of Cathnes … Kevin James Murphy
Familiars, to the Weyward Sisters … Richard Ragsdale
… Will Schutz
… Jim Slonina
Hecat Enodia, a decayed Titan … Aaron Boucher
… Justin Fletcher
… Sean Sinitski
An Armed Head, an apparition … Jim Slonina
… Matthew Callahan
A Bloody Childe, an apparition … Richard Ragsdale
… Christopher Johnson
A Childe Crowned, an apparition … Neal Simons
… Sean Sinitski
… B.L.Z. Bub
A Show of Seven Kings, of Scotland … Aaron Boucher
… Sam Muñoz
… Kevin James Murphy
… Ted Lesley
… Steve Welsh
… Justin Fletcher
… Ryan Oliver
… Geoff Coates
Son, to Macduff … Neal Simons
Lady Macduff, wife to Macduff … Lisa Rothschiller
Monk, a Benedictine … Steve Welsh
Belial, a King of the Infernal Hierarchy … Ted Lesley
Seyward Dirga, Earl of Northumbria … Ted Lesley
Soldiers, of England … Justin Fletcher
… Jennifer Gehr
… Steve Welsh
Production Team
Stage Manager … Joy C. Ronstadt
Assistant Director … Jim Slonina
Scenic Designer … Martin McClendon
Lighting Designer … B. Emil Boulos
Costume Designer … Michelle Lynette Bush
Sound Designers/Original Music … Brian and Matthew Callahan
Puppet Designers … Andrew Leman
… Cynthia Orthal
Fight Choreographer … Robin McFarquhar
Witch Choreographer … Julia Neary
Properties … Christopher Johnson
… Michelle Caplan
… Carl Wisneiwski
Technical Director … David J. Ranta
Costume Assistant … Cybele Moon
Fight Captain/Assistant Fight Choreographer … Geoff Coates
Armorer … David Skvarla
Master Electrician … Rachel Decker
Sound Board Operator … Bryan Pray
Construction Crew … Anthony Gaudio
… Christopher Taylor Ranta
… and lots of others
Lighting Crew … Richy Norwood
… Chauncy Copeland
… Andrew Glasenhardt
… Helen David
… Gina Ann Cirolia
… and many more
Stitcher … Marcie West
Graphic Designer … Arlo Bryan Guthrie
Documentarian … Christopher Taylor Ranta