Chicago Shakespeare Presents Short Shakespeare! Macbeth

By: Dec. 13, 2010
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?Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) provides an introduction to William Shakespeare for all audiences with Short Shakespeare! Macbeth, a 75-minute abridged production of Shakespeare's Macbeth adapted and directed by David H. Bell. A perfect outing for busy professionals and families, Short Shakespeare! Macbeth is performed Saturdays at 11 a.m. in CST's Courtyard Theater as part of the CST Family Series, providing an opportunity for adults and young audiences alike to be introduced to Shakespeare's masterpiece. Tickets for Short Shakespeare! Macbeth Saturdays at 11 a.m. from January 22 through March 5, 2011, in CST's Courtyard Theater are $16-$20 with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. Short Shakespeare! Macbeth is recommended for ages 10 and up. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Short Shakespeare! productions give busy professionals, families and young audiences the chance to watch the magic of Shakespeare's verse come alive, performed by a cast of professional artists-all in just 75 minutes. Immediately following each Saturday performance of Short Shakespeare! Macbeth, actors remain on stage for a discussion with the audience about the Macbeths' quest for power and their own experiences stepping into Shakespeare's iconic roles. After the discussion, audience members are invited to join the actors for one-on-one conversations and photo opportunities in Chicago Shakespeare's lobbies, which provide stunning views of the Chicago skyline. CST patrons can make an afternoon of it on Navy Pier, with specially priced menus at the Pier's most popular restaurants available by displaying their tickets day-of-show. Visit Chicago Shakespeare's website at www.chicagoshakes.com for more information.

A theatrical, percussive world of swords, sound and the supernatural make Macbeth one of William Shakespeare's most spellbinding plays-and CST's 75-minute abridged production, Short Shakespeare! Macbeth, provides a perfect introduction to his work. When Macbeth and his wife hear of the haunting witches' prophecy that they will soon rule the land, they move to plot the murder of the King. Greed, torment and evil pave the Macbeths' path toward destruction, ultimately proving all of the witches' divinations true.

Director and Adaptor David H. Bell returns to Chicago Shakespeare Theater for Short Shakespeare! Macbeth, where his recent CST credits include The Three Musketeers and the Short Shakespeare! productions of The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew. Additional CST directing credits include the full-length productions of As You Like It, The Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing and The Comedy of Errors. Bell's extensive work as a director, choreographer and writer at a host of Chicago theaters has earned him ten Joseph Jefferson Awards. Internationally, he has staged productions in London, Paris, Berlin, Zurich, Vienna and for the Barcelona Olympics. As associate artistic director for Atlanta's ALLIANCE THEATRE, Bell directed numerous productions including The Grapes of Wrath, Art, Romeo and Juliet, Hot Mikado, The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, One Last Summer, Once on This Island, Falsettos and Boys from Syracuse. Bell is the recipient of a Helen Hayes Award, two National Endowment for the Arts Playwriting Fellowships and a nomination for London's prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for Hot Mikado. He is an Associate Professor of Music Theater at Northwestern University.

The talented ensemble of Short Shakespeare! Macbeth includes many veteran CST actors. Returning to Chicago Shakespeare to perform the role of Macbeth is Mark Montgomery, who most recently appeared as Duke Orsino in CST's Twelfth Night. Lesley Bevan, performing the role of Lady Macbeth in Bell's production, gave a Jeff Award-nominated performance as Emilia in CST's Othello. Additional actors returning to Chicago Shakespeare are Ethan Deppe as Percussionist, Ben Huth as Murderer #1 and Glenn Stanton as Murderer #2. The ensemble for Short Shakespeare! Macbeth is rounded out by Bernard Balbot as Porter, Lynn Robert Berg as Duncan, Nicholas Harazin as Malcolm, Mike McNamara as Banquo, Eric Parks as Ross/Witch 3, Patrick Sarb as Macduff, Dorcas Sowunmi as Lady Macduff and Andrew Truschinski as Angus/Witch 2.

Joining Bell's production team for Short Shakespeare! Macbeth are Scenic Designer Scott Davis, Costume Designer Ana Kuzmanic, Lighting Designer Lee Keenan Sound Designer James Savage, Composer Ethan Deppe, Wig and Make-up Designer Melissa Veal, Properties Master Chelsea Meyers and and Verse Coach David Turrentine.

Short Shakespeare! Macbeth is performed Saturdays at 11 a.m. from January 22 through March 5, 2011, in CST's Courtyard Theater. Tickets are $16-$20 with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. Short Shakespeare! Macbeth is recommended for ages 10 and up. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Programs in conjunction with performance of Short Shakespeare! Macbeth include:
Talk-Backs: Post-show discussions follow each Saturday performance. Admission is free. No reservations are required.
"Access Shakespeare" Performances: The duo sign-interpreted performance for patrons with hearing impairments will be held on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. Patrons should request the sign-interpreted section when purchasing tickets in advance. The audio-described performance for patrons with visual impairments will also be held on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. Patrons should reserve a headset when purchasing tickets in advance. "Access Shakespeare" tickets are $15 (adults) and $10 (students 18 and under).

Title:

Short Shakespeare! Macbeth

Written by:

William Shakespeare

Directed and Adapted by:

David H. Bell

Dates:

January 22-March 5, 2011

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Saturdays at 11:00 a.m.

January 22, 29
February 5, 12, 19, 26
March 5

TICKET PRICES

Adult

$20

Student (18 and under)

$16

Ages:

Recommended for ages 10 and up.

Location:

Courtyard Theater
Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier
800 East Grand Avenue

Box Office:

www.chicagoshakes.com
312.595.5600

Group Sales:

312.595.5678 (groups of 10 or more)


About Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Recipient of the 2008 Regional Theatre Tony Award, Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) offers a broad spectrum of theatrical experiences year-round, engaging and entertaining audiences from all walks of life and from around the world. CST has garnered acclaim under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, including 55 Joseph Jefferson Awards and three Laurence Olivier Awards. The Theater has experienced record growth since moving to its current, state-of-the-art facility on Navy Pier in 1999, and will celebrate its 25th Anniversary next season.

The 38-play canon of William Shakespeare forms the core of CST's work and Subscription Series, complemented by other dramatic works-from traditional classical theater to new classics that resonate with Shakespeare's timeless insights into the human condition. Through a 48-week season encompassing more than 600 performances, Chicago Shakespeare leads the community as the largest employer of Chicago actors. CST also contributes to an international community of creative exchange through its World's Stage Series, which affords Chicago audiences prime opportunities to experience the cultural and artistic traditions of some of the world's iconic theater troupes as well as sending some of CST's best works abroad. Chicago Shakespeare is committed to making theater an expansive, ever-changing and lifelong relationship. For family audiences, CST Family presents abridged Shakespeare productions, timeless fables and fairy tales, interactive music concerts and world-premiere musical theater created with families in mind. CST's education outreach program, Team Shakespeare, has served over 1 million students and teachers throughout the Midwest, introducing the Bard's legacy to a new generation.



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