Review: 'Macbeth' at Sacred Heart University

Pictured: The cast of 'Macbeth' and their director John Flaherty (far left)

"Lady Macbeth: We fail?
But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we'll not fail." Macbeth Act 1, scene 7, 59–61

Fairfield, CT - ‘Shakespeare in the Summer’ continued for me at Sacred Heart University with a fine production of ‘Macbeth.’ The Theater Arts Program students presented the condensed version of the tragedy for two weekends in an outdoor amphitheater on their campus in Fairfield. Patrons were invited to bring a picnic basket and blanket to the free performances; I did just that and managed to catch their closing performance on Sunday.

John Flaherty directed the SHU students and one child performer (Gavin Jimali as Macduff’s son) in this classic tale of Macbeth’s descent into madness and made excellent use of the limitations of the outdoor venue. The set up involved a background curtain hung between three leafy trees and a grassy stage. Actors could be seen making their entrances down the nearby stairs, from behind the curtain and in front of it, bringing the audience into the action a bit.

Actor Dan Murphy served as fight captain of the swordplay and killings. Zachary Lane provided the offstage drumming and Christine Seppala was the production stage manager with Andrew Peloquin as her assistant.

Patrick Robinson (Prospero in last year’s ‘The Tempest’ at SHU) was naturally up for the challenge of the title role and his stage presence served him well as his character is undone. This young actor is one to watch. Jordan Norkus, first appearing in a garment with questionably high slits, was the perfect choice for the ruthless Lady Macbeth; the scenes of her suffering guilt were riveting. Thankfully, her royal robe and green velvet dress were much better.

The three weird sisters, who got to use a fabulous metal cauldron supported by long legs, were played by Elise Bean, Christiana Alves, and Henecy Gomez. Mr. Peloquin appeared as a murderer, captain and doctor. Ms. Gomez also appeared as Cathness and Fleance, while Ms. Alves also played Angus. Ms. Bean returned as a messenger and Mentieth. Kevin Carlson was Donalbain and another murderer. Zachary Lane took on the role of Macduff and Gwendolyn Mileti played Lady Maduff as well as Lennox.
Mr. Murphy appeared in the role of Banquo, and was extremely effective as his bloodied ghost. He also played Young Siward. Courtney O’Shea played Ross and a gentlewoman. Serginho Valcourt played the regal but doomed King Duncan and also returned as Siward. Sven Vogel played Seyton and Justin Weigel played well both a drunk porter and a sober lord. Eddie Freely played the role of Malcolm.

Curtain call Photos by Nancy Sasso Janis

When there is virtually no set, the costumes must bring the audience to the time period, and the various ensembles did just that. Clanging sword, bloody daggers and convincing bloody hands helped as well. The university chapel bells that chimed during the “Boil, boil” speech were a happy accident, only to be brought back to the present tense by a plane passing overhead soon after. There was some trimming to the original text, but nothing that I missed terribly and the performance still ran 90 minutes without intermission. Congratulations to the SHU TAP students on another fine production of a Shakespeare play for the public to enjoy.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417