Press Room
Washington Shakespeare Company presents
By William Shakespeare
Jose Carrasquillo's vision of Macbeth
WSC proudly presents the Bard's darkest and most visceral play as never before seen
NOTE: FULL NUDITY, VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED
The press night for Macbeth is June 19, 2007, 8 pm at the Clark Street Playhouse
Arlington, VA - May 30, 2007 WSC is proud to present one of the most challenging and unique productions of our 17-year history, and certainly one of the most daring selections in the Shakespeare in Washington Festival: Jose Carrasquillo's vision of Shakespeare's Macbeth. Told in the style of 'Magical Realism,' where supernatural forces interact with the physical world, and where human forms emerge from and disappear into a dark forest, our production will explore how evil and dark forces come together to alter human behavior. We will also delve into the powerful connection between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and the effect of ambition on their symbiotic relationship.
In our production nudity (the human body in its most natural state) will serve as a metaphor that in turn will help us explore the raw and dark themes of the play. Furthermore, the nudity will make visual sense in the context of the story telling because the human forms will be part of a larger forest that becomes activated by the forces of nature. We want to stress that the nudity will not be rooted in the sexual liberation or politics of the 60's, when nude bodies began to appear on stage. It is also not done for political defiance, as it was done in the 80's, and definitely not for the objectification or titillation of anyone. Instead, the cast will perform nude to reveal, ultimately, something essential and primal about the human experience.
The dark forest surrounding set designer Giorgos Tsappas' raked triangular stage will include massive Giacometti-inspired sculptures crafted by Marie Schneggenburger, whose work has been seen at the Kennedy Center as well as on Broadway. Lighting designer Ayun Fedorcha further enhances the dark and fantastical mood of the production. Finally, the cast will create the sound design vocally and with rudimentary percussion instruments.
The cast includes Kathleen Akerley, Denman C. Anderson, ManShu Chang, Daniel Eichner, Heather Haney, Jay Hardee, Christopher Henley, Sasha Olinick, Lee Ordeman, and Ashley Robinson.
Performance Dates & Ticket Prices
The press night for Macbeth is June 19, 2007, 8 pm at the Clark Street Playhouse. Pay-what-you-can previews are June 14, 15, 16, and 18 at 8 pm. Regular performances run June 21 - July 15, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm. All Saturday matinees are pay-what- you-can. Note: There are no matinee previews! For tickets, please call 800-494-TIXS(8497) or visit our website: www.washingtonshakespeare.org. For more information or for group sales, call 703-418-4808 or visit our website.
Tickets: Thursday - $25; Friday 8 pm & Sunday 2 pm - $30; Saturday 8 pm - $35; Saturday 2pm - pay-what-you-can; all tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-494-TIXS (8497) or online at www.washingtonshakespeare.org.
WSC's Clark Street Playhouse
601 S. Clark St.,
Crystal City (Arlington), VA 22202 (Directions)