Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents Short Shakespeare! Macbeth

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.