Theatre and Dance Stages William Shakespeare's MACBETH
October 11 – 19, 2019
West Chester University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, in cooperation with the College of Arts and Humanities, is proud to present MACBETH, by William Shakespeare. MACBETH runs Friday, October 11 and October 18, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 12 at 2 p.m., and Saturday, October 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, Swope Music Building and Performing Arts Center, 817 S. High Street, West Chester. All tickets are $12 and can be purchased at www.wcupatix.com.
MACBETH, a valiant general, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition, MACBETH murders King Duncan and takes the Scottish throne for himself. Forced to commit more and more murders to protect himself, Macbeth’s rise to power and plummet to anguish is the subject of one of Shakespeare’s greatest works.
MACBETH is directed by Associate Professor of Theatre, John Bellomo, who was formerly the Artistic Director of Maryland Shakespeare Festival and has directed many of Shakespeare’s works.
Bellomo says, “If you think Shakespeare is boring, you are wrong. This will be an action-packed, fast-paced show that uses witchcraft, sword fights and heavy metal music.”
Bellomo sets MACBETH in a “time bending” world that uses both contemporary and Shakespearean elements.
He adds, “We’re producing our MACBETH as Shakespeare might have done. When he produced Julius Caesar, he didn’t use old Roman music, he used contemporary Elizabethan music from the times. Our production does the same. There will be sword fighting, but instead of torches, our actors carry flashlights. The costuming is more modern-day, but the heavy metal soundtrack is contemporary. In this way, the show will be accessible to audiences, but is also a traditional telling of the story.”
Alex Harding, a senior from Downingtown will play Macbeth, and Grace Eshenower from Malvern is Lady Macbeth. Additional cast members include: Erica Barnes (Downingtown, PA), Noah Erlemann (Allentown, PA), Sarah Ford (Glen Burnie, MD), Chloe Hyde (Warrington, PA), Diego Jorge (Lima, Peru), Aaron Kirk (Exton, PA), Nicholas LeVasseur (West Chester, PA), April Marion (Lancaster, PA), Lionel McCulloch (Morgantown, PA) Clare McKernan (Philadelphia, PA), Lauren Ralston (Horsham, PA), James Saracina (Newville, PA), Alex Savage (Brackney, PA),Sab Sinsel (Sunbury, PA),Michael Taimanglo III (Wallingford, PA), and Joshua Waltz (New Castle, DE),
Two free weekday performances will be offered to teachers wishing to bring student groups. For information, contact Charlie DelMarcelle at cdemarcelle@wcupa.edu.