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Creativity pays off for Masquer's 'Macbeth'
Submitted photo
Holli Bosner and Chris LeBlanc star in the Masquer’s Theater production of ‘Macbeth.’
Something wicked this way comes.
Soap Lake’s Masquer’s Theater is presenting Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.”
“Macbeth” is the story of a man just a few steps away from the Scottish throne. When three witches tell Macbeth the throne could be his, the thought of power festers in his mind.
Macbeth shares his ambitions with his wife, who grasps eagerly at the chance to be queen, urging her husband to do whatever necessary to achieve those ends. Lady Macbeth’s iron will strengthens Macbeth’s resolve when he starts to balk at what is necessary to accomplish the task. She isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, either, planting bloody evidence on innocent men. Macbeth kills his king, his best friend and many others in his quest for power.
Once king, Macbeth alternates between guilt-caused hallucinations and feelings of invincibility. Lady Macbeth tries to cover for her erratic spouse, but eventually goes crazy herself. Little does Macbeth know that the witches’ predictions aren’t always what they seem.
The highlight of the production was a wonderful Chris LeBlanc as Macbeth. LeBlanc made the man who would be king come alive. During a few of Macbeth’s introspective soliloquies, LeBlanc came out into the audience, making them feel like they were right there in Macbeth’s head – part of his conflicted inner dialogue. His voice, his eyes, his expressions, his entire body helped him perfectly portray Macbeth’s wide range of emotions – cockiness, greed, resolve, cowardice, smugness, guilt, madness, remorse and defeat.
Holli Bosnar did an excellent job opposite him as the conniving, ruthless Lady Macbeth. Quincy audiences will recognize Bosnar most recently from Quincy Valley Allied Art’s “Oklahoma.” She gave an excellent portrayal of a power-hungry woman, helping her husband plot to take the Scottish throne.
It was fun that Bosnar’s Lady Macbeth was relatable – the wife pulling strings behind the scenes to help her husband angle for a promotion – with a mixture of annoyance and pride in her spouse. Bosnar also played Lady Macbeth’s descent into madness wonderfully.
Another treat was the Weird Sisters, the play’s famous three witches, played by Jodi Truman, Jessica LeBlanc and Virginia Holman.
They delivered some of the most memorable lines of the play with a creepiness fitting for the Weird Sisters. They were in complete harmony, brewing their potions and changing the fates of the players as they cast their sing-songy spells.
Other players who stood out were Jeremy Hansen as Macduff and Kyle Leslie as Banquo.
This is director Tyrell Pickett’s sixth play, his fourth Shakespeare show. He did a nice job introducing some creative elements into the production that worked well: opening the play with a foreshadowing interpretive dance by Holman, having LeBlanc come into the audience, using some heavy metal to nice effect in the soundtrack and utilizing a strobe light in the special effects.
Shakespeare is ambitious for any community theater group, but thanks to great leads, the Masquers’ production worked. It offers something for audiences familiar with “Macbeth” and those new to the Bard’s “Scottish play” alike.
“Macbeth” runs Friday and Saturday Aug. 7-8 and 14 at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees are Aug. 9 and 16 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12 general, $10 for members, students and seniors. Call 246-2611 for reservations.
