Shame on Clyde and dave for not relaying the most important piece of information about this production: Julia Houston's ex-husband AND ex-dramaturg, who she or may not have been boinking, share the stage for the first time since the fallout of their relationships! If only Carpet had been cast as Malcolm my evening would have been complete.
On a (slightly) more serious note, this Macbeth felt like the story was being told through the prism of "Supernatural," and I do mean that in a good way. The witches and their hell-creatures, who look like Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer in a leather bar, have been inserted throughout the production. More than ever you feel the hand of fate strangling Macbeth. He had no choice in his actions as the witches propelled him toward his doom. Gets, Glover and Jennings made for a twisted and fun group of witches; their scene at the top of act two was a highlight of the evening.
The stage looks black as pitch, and the characters could be plunged into the pit of hell at any moment. The lighting was excellent.
Ethan Hawke is mostly there, but is still finding his footing with a few of his line deliveries. I'm a big fan of his in general and think he'll settle into the role. Catherine Zuber did a good job costuming him, especially at the banquet scene; loved those pants, the cape and the crown!
Anne-Marie Duff is very good; she nails the sleepwalking scene, which is wonderfully staged and lit.
I have to agree with Clyde about Johnny Orsini. He was the weak link in the cast.
The whole sequence with the woods and then the finale battles scenes were well-executed.
Act two was stronger on the whole than act one. The excitement and tension get a tad slack from time to time, but that will be resolved during previews. Overall I liked it, but didn't love it.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
