The Gallery Players Announces MACBETH, 7/21-31

The Gallery Players is proud to present The Tragedy of Macbeth, its third annual production of Shakespeare in the Summer. Macbeth runs from Thursday evening, July 21st, through Sunday afternoon, July 31st. Long-standing member of the Pearl Theatre Resident Acting Company and former Gallery Players board president, Dominic Cuskern, produces. Mark Harborth, admired director of many Gallery favorites, among them, Noises Off, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Chess, will direct.

Shakespeare's shortest tragedy, Macbeth was written in a transparent effort to curry favor with Elizabeth's successor, James I, whose entertainment preferences ran more to pageant than play. James was fascinated with witches - even writing a book on the subject himself - so "double, double toil and trouble" was born. Not stopping there, Shakespeare included a hefty role for James' ancestor, Banquo, with a pointed reference to the royal ancestry. Add to that a crowd-pleasing measure of sex and violence, all told in the bard's inimitable style - well, even James couldn't resist. Viewed as a cautionary tale of the chaos following a king's murder, The Tragedy of Macbeth was certainly an entertaining piece of propaganda.

Macbeth will be produced virtually uncut, following both historical and textual cues, honoring Shakespeare's craft by selecting production elements simply to serve this story of one man's fateful journey from good to evil. Initially manipulated by his cougar wife, a mistress of sexual politics, Macbeth abandons "the milk of human kindness" to pursue a fantasy future starring himself as the King of Scotland. Working in collaboration with his carefully chosen ensemble, Director Harborth will illuminate the human cause and effect of the downward spiral of choices that form the backbone of this play.

The Tragedy Of Macbeth opens Thursday evening, July 21 and runs for 12 performances through Sunday, July 31, 2011. Performances take place Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30pm; matinees are Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. There will be a special "pay-what-you-will" performance on Monday, July 25, at 7:30pm. Macbeth is an Actors Equity Association showcase, approval pending.

Tickets are $18 for Adults, $14 for senior citizens and children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased 24/7 online at www.galleryplayers.com or by calling Theatermania at 212-352-3101 (phone hours 9-9 weekdays, 10-6 weekends). The Gallery Players is located at 199 14th St., between 4th and 5th Aves. in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

There will be a cast of 16, including: Graham Stuart Allen, Dave Benger, Bryn Carter, Brendan Cataldo, David PatRick Ford*, Sidney Fortner*, Joel Fullerton, Marcus Denard Johnson*, Jara Jones, Mark Kinch, Arthur Koster, James Meneses, Seth D. Rabinowitz*, Dan Snow*, Minna Taylor, and Hannah Timmons. Fight Choreographer: Joe Travers; Set Designer: TBD; Scenic Artist: Jackie McCarthy; Lighting Designer: Christopher Weston; Sound Designer: Jacob Subotnick; Costume Designer: Beverly Bullock; Assistant Director: Sidney Fortner; Stage Manager: Becky J. Doster; Assistant Stage Manager: Tim Sheridan.

A New York institution since 1967, The Gallery Players has served actors and audiences alike for more than four decades by showcasing burgeoning new talent and offering a home base for theater professionals. Its eclectic programming of intimate revivals and ambitious new work in inventive productions has earned it the reputation of "New York's Best Kept Secret." Among its famous alumni are founding member Harvey Fierstein, Broadway regular Diedre Goodwin, New York theater personality Seth Rudetsky, and many others.

Interview inquiries and press tickets, please call Michael Martinez at 845-201-8820.

Subway: F to 4th Avenue
R to 9th Street

By car: BQE to Hamilton Avenue to 14th Street.

 

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