An Appalachian Macbeth
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For the first time in its storied 70-year history, the main stage at Flat Rock Playhouse is playing host to a work of Shakespeare with a remarkably unique and captivating presentation of Macbeth.
This enthralling adaptation is set against the turbulent backdrop of a war-torn 21st-century Appalachia. The immediately familiar setting, costumes, and accents all propel the audience on an intimate and highly relatable exploration of the corrupting power of unchecked ambition. Playhouse Artistic Director Lisa Bryant’s intriguing twist on the classic drama personalizes and magnifies the play in a way that a traditional presentation of Macbeth cannot achieve.
The latest offering of the Playhouse’s innovative Black Box Series, Macbeth is presented in the round atop the Leiman MainStage. With seating limited to 130 patrons, no audience member is more than a few feet from the action on set. As a result, the audience doesn't merely watch, they are enveloped in the unfolding drama as the actors swirl around them. Strikingly dramatic lighting and sound effects further enhance the emotional depth of the performance, making it a truly riveting experience.
David Lind's powerful portrayal of a modern and thoroughly southern Macbeth nimbly and convincingly bridges the gap between Shakespeare’s original 16th-century Scottish setting and the reimagined backdrop of 21st-century Appalachia. The play retains Shakespeare’s Elizabethan English with its unrhymed iambic pentameter but adds a southern lilt to the dialogue to further locate this adaptation. This unexpected confluence of two wildly disparate cultures adds to the fascination of the Playhouse’s creative take on Macbeth.
The Witches, originally a trio of mystical figures, are recast as a fantastical bag man played by Paul Vonasek. His character seamlessly oscillates between fearsome, outlandish, prophetic, and humorous. His moments of contemporary wit and language help connect a modern audience to the age-old story. Jillian Geurts as Lady Macbeth shows impressive range as she convincingly transitions during the course of the performance from a woman consumed by the guileless pursuit of power to the fractured shell of a woman who succumbs to crushing guilt.
Eddie Maldonado, remembered by Playhouse patrons as Bernardo in last season’s West Side Story, commands the stage as Macduff. His performance infuses the stage with a spellbinding intensity that forcefully conveys the chaos and tragedy of a world torn apart by treachery and turmoil. Notable performances by Scott Treadway and Nat Zegree add familiar faces to a gifted ensemble and remind us once again of their incredibly versatile talents.
At its core, FRP’s Macbeth is a powerful rollercoaster of action and drama, reminding us that our world is not immune to the tragedy and treachery that Shakespeare's audiences witnessed centuries ago. Despite our presumed advances in the intervening years, we are forced to confront the hard truth that the darkest aspects of our humanity persist.
Flat Rock Playhouse also deserves commendation for its resolve to present a diverse range of theatrical experiences during its 2023 season. Its ability to successfully explore and excel in such a variety of theatrical genres is a testament to the impressive talents of both the Playhouse staff and the parade of talented actors who grace its stage. This commitment to present a multiplicity of theatrical productions helps ensure that live theater remains a vibrant platform for artistic exploration and reflection on society.
Although Macbeth is not a light and airy evening of theatre, it is an important and compelling link between the theatrical roots cultivated by Shakespeare and the flourishing artistic excellence gifted to our community by Flat Rock Playhouse. With this performance, we are fortunate to honor and appreciate anew the remarkable contributions of both.
