Wickedly Thrilling Production of Macbeth coming to Brewster High School

From Brewster High School

This November, “something wicked this way comes” to Brewster as the Brewster High School Performing Arts presents Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Currently in rehearsal, this production promises to entertain and thrill while giving all who come the opportunity to become fully immersed in a lush production that transports the audience to 11th century Scotland. In this Shakespearean work rarely performed on a high school stage, the audience is thrust into a world permeated by war and brutality, ghostly images, spectral spells, and murder.

In preparing the cast, director Robert LoAlbo states that, “The actors must get used to the poetic yet difficult language. The pacing and cadence of Shakespearean text is as important to this cast of 34 as is memorizing their lines.”

Drawing upon his experience as Brewster High School’s Shakespeare teacher, Mr. LoAlbo has been working with the students to become comfortable with the script and their characters, especially with senior Spencer Flash, who plays the titular Macbeth and has over 700 lines to deliver, approximately a third of the play.

Many of these students needed to do research prior to auditioning for the production since they have no prior exposure to Shakespeare.

“I read the play multiple times and watched numerous productions online,” explains senior Andrew Gordon who tackles the earnest role of Macduff, the man who challenges Macbeth’s skewed morality.

Additionally, learning new skills and developing a unique take on iconic characters are tasks eagerly tackled by the cast. Brewster science teacher James Kilroy used his fencing experience to teach the students period accurate swordsmanship. The students used this training to choreograph sword combat scenes which are integral to the action.

Adding a strong supernatural slant with her character, senior Anna Bisogno Papa describes her job as Witch #1: “You have to move out of your comfort zone and into the wild crazy world that is theater. It’s scary and unexpected but that’s why I absolutely love theater.”

Behind the scenes, a talented group of students under the direction of Jan Anthony, are bringing to life the complex set design as created by Mr. LoAlbo. The design uses a Stonehenge-type monument with religious icons, combining Pagan and Christian imagery, reflecting the moral struggles that Macbeth faces throughout the play.

Macbeth runs Thursday November 6th, Friday November 7th, and Saturday November 8th at 7:30 PM at the Brewster High School Performing Arts Center, 50 Foggintown Rd, Brewster, NY. Advance tickets are now on sale for $12 and can be purchased online at www.brewsterschools.org, or at the door or by calling 845.279.5051.