Theater Review: "Macbeth" by Capital Classics Theater Company

“The Tragedy of Macbeth” is Capital Classics Theatre Company’s contribution to the Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival

Shakespeare’s 500 year-old study of ambition and power is revealed to also be an examination of society’s expectations of gender-based behaviors. Director Geoffrey Sheehan, a UConn and Wesleyan University graduate, explains his casting choices in the program.

“For me and our production of “Macbeth” here is 2023 America, I made definitive choices in our casting while keeping the original pronouns in place, so hopefully we can look past the ‘identifiers’ we and/or our society rely on to define each other, before we even talk (and listen) to each other, and instead choose to look into the heart of the individual regardless of a gender or pronoun or any other identifying category, and embrace them for who they are by Nature or hold them accountable for the acts they do.”

To that end, Megan Gwyn (pictured above) tackles the iconic role of Macbeth, returning to Capital Classics for a fourth year. Gwyn played Beatrice in “Much Ado About Nothing,” Phoebe/Amiens in “As You Like It” and Anne Page in “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” I found this gender bending to be a very interesting twist on a very old story, although I overheard some older patrons during the intermission who did not agree.

The three Weird Sisters/witches that open the first act and appear in many scenes are played by Laura Sheehan, Sam Lundstrom and Marie R. Altenor, who appeared as Liz in Hole in the Wall’s “Wife/Worker/Whore.” Sheehan is a co-founder of Capital Classics and has served as artistic director, actor, production director, writer, or producer throughout its history.

Michael Hinton portrays Banquo in his first production with this company, but he has directed or appeared in over thirty productions of Shakespeare’s plays, including ten of “Macbeth.” Tim Diebolt of Manchester, who appeared in Capital Classics’ “Water by the Spoonful,” plays King Duncan and Lady Macbeth’s doctor.

New York City based actor Evan Ayer returns to Capital Classics to play Malcolm, as well as serve as the understudy for Gwyn. UConn graduate Emma Joy Hill plays Donalbain, one of Banquo’s murderers and finally Lady Macduff. Julia Sheehan plays the role of Macduff’s son.

Jack Robert Harding, a New York based actor/musician/writer who is a Hartt School graduate, plays Macduff in his Capital Classics debut. Anna Pitblado is Fleance in her debut with this company and Dane O’Leary-Clark of West Hartford plays Seyton.

Shield Maiden Warriors are played by Ell Zirolli, a rising Hall High School senior who has received multiple Halo Award nominations, and Anna Pitblado in her Capital debut. Zirolli returns as one of the Macduff family murderers.

UConn grad Aleksei Sandals plays Angus, the second of Banquo’s murderers, and one of the Macduff family murderers in his Capital debut. Joshua Eaddy plays Ross in his fourth show with this company. Some of these actors also play pagan partiers and apparitions.

Kiera Sheehan is incredibly strong as the tortured Lady Macbeth. Sheehan, a Philadelphia-based actor who trained at The Hartt School, made her stage debut in Capital Classics’ first staging of the Scottish Play.

There is a very helpful and detailed synopsis in the printed program of “The Scottish Play” that patrons can use to follow the action.

Violinist Jonathan Kane of Newington adds much to the production with often dissonant bits that he composed himself. He appears at stage left between scenes and often during important scenes. There are plenty of big and noisy swords for the battle scenes. The set designed by David Regan, who has been a frequent performer with this group since 2009, appears easy to transport as needed and consists of wooden boards with vertical slats that work well for all of the scenes. The scenic imagery was designed by Anthony Zito. Zito and fifteen-year-old Quaren Joyce, a rising high school junior, were the scenic artists. Lighting design by Robyn E. Joyce worked very well indoors and no doubt transfers to the outdoor stage well once the sun goes down.

Costumes designed by Jennifer Tellier (in her debut with this company) are authentically Scottish, with unique plaid kilts for each of the clans represented and black dresses for the witches. Dance choreography by Christine Simoes and combat choreography by David Lynn Chandler hits all the right notes.

The actors performed without microphones, just as they do for the outdoor performances and were able to project their voices amazingly well. If the performance is moved inside, tickets will be honored again for an outdoor performance.

The performance I attended on a rainy evening in West Hartford was moved inside the beautiful Bruyette Athenaeum. Bring a jacket in case the indoor theater’s air conditioning is too high.
The curtain call is strongly choreographed and simply delightful, so definitely remain to see it.

“Macbeth” is performed outdoors on the campus of the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford now through July 30. Bring blankets, chairs and picnics; performance moves indoors in the event of inclement weather. Tickets at CapitalClassics.org

Photos by Steven Laschever

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.