Something wicked this way comes

October 19, 2009 • Ali Kinkade  
Filed under Arts & Entertainment

Halloween will be extended this year.

On Friday, November 6th, the theatre department begins a two-week run of Shakespeare’s spooky Scottish play “Macbeth”.

Director Ally Milner has put a spin on the classic tragedy, however—the characters are mobsters, as inspired by Francis Ford Coppola’s popular “Godfather” films.

The world of Macbeth has been set in the streets of mid-20th century New York rather in the than the heaths of Scotland in medieval times.

“‘Macbeth’ and [the ‘Godfather movies] have a lot in common,” Milner explains.

“They’re full of power struggles and hierarchies. When you hear ‘king’ [in the script], you think ‘don’, and when you hear ‘thane’, you think ‘underboss’…I love taking Shakespeare and setting it in a different time, because there are so many parallels that you can draw from it.”

“I hope I will bring the creepy factor to a new level through costume” said junior Emily Eberhard, who serves as technical manager for the show.  The characters will be dressed in pinstriped suits and lounge around in Macbeth’s sprawling New York mansion.

Rehearsals are underway for the production, and cast members are tackling the tough 16th century dialogue with ease.

“At first it seems hard to understand, but when you pick it apart you realize how cleverly written the lines are.” said junior Tyler Robson, who is portraying Macduff.

“I ask ‘what are you saying?’ a lot,” said Milner in regards to the language. “With Shakespeare, you have to show the audience what you’re saying and almost…assume that that’s the only way the audience will understand the point you’re trying to make.”

With both returning and fresh faces making up the cast, the actors have grown close quickly.

“It’s exciting to be in the play this year and… a good opportunity to meet upperclassmen,” Hannah Karren, a freshman, said.

The cast includes junior Alex Hardin as the complex title character and senior Naomi Wright as his Lady Macbeth, who bends him to her will to gain power.

“It’s gonna be fun,” said Hardin. “This is my first time acting in a Summit-produced piece and I’m excited to contribute to the legacy.”

King Duncan, the “big boss” of the mob in this version, is played by Caleb Nyberg.

He and the others are caught up in a web of deception and manipulation where “fair is foul and foul is fair” (an observation made by the Weird Sisters; portrayed by Karren, Maddie Dunkelberg and Ali Kinkade; at the beginning of the play).

“We’re lucky to have such a great cast,” said Robson. “Everyone’s awesome.”

The cast also includes Lila Mensing, Anne Givans, Alec Armijo, Ali Bylund, Kortnee Moreland and a score of other talented students who will open the show on November 6th and 7th, performing again on the 13th and 14th.

“It’ll be epic!”  said Karren.