[NEohioPAL] Actors' Summit offers "pay what you can" for Macbeth THIS WEEKEND

PRESS RELEASE
For more information
contact MaryJo Alexander
330-342-0800
www.actorssummit.org

Actors’ Summit Theater

Offers “Pay What You Can” Tickets

for final Macbeth Performances

Actors’ Summit, a Professional Theater, located in historic downtown Hudson, is pleased to announce a special offering of discounted tickets for the final weekend of the current, critically acclaimed production of the Shakespeare's classic Macbeth, March 7, 8 and 9, 2008.

“We’ve had a great response to our student matinees these past two weeks. “commented Neil Thackaberry, the production’s director. “We want to make sure these performances are available to high school and college students. Macbeth is part of the standard English curriculum for our area high schools .”

About The Play

Based on stories of Scottish history, the play tells the story of Macbeth's rise to the kingship by assassination. Complicating what could be a simple story of ambition are the witches, who tell Macbeth that he will one day become king. They also predict that the children of Macbeth's friend Banquo will in the future be Kings. The two prophecies help to set Macbeth on a murderous path that finally leads to civil war. In addition to the influence of the witches, Lady Macbeth's ambitions help push Macbeth into action.

The play was probably first performed in 1603. Scholars assign this date because of internal references that may relate to King James I of England. James traced his ancestry to Banquo and had a strong interest in witchcraft.

The play is also one that is the source of a long tradition of superstition. Theater folklore has it that Shakespeare used actual spells in the play and in retribution, the witches of England put a curse on the play. In theaters throughout the English speaking world, the title of the play is never spoken in the theater. Instead, Macbeth is simply referred to as the Scottish play.

The Cast

Leading the cast are the co-artistic directors of Actors' Summit -- MaryJo Alexander (Lady Macbeth) and Neil Thackaberry. MaryJo has performed at Ensemble Theatre, Cain Park, and Porthouse Theatre. Neil Thackaberry (Macbeth) has performed at the Cleveland Play House, Ensemble Theater, and Great Lakes Theatre Festival, in addition to a wide range of roles at Actors' Summit.

The witches are lead by Actors' Summit regular Sally Groth who doubles in the role of Lady Macduff. Terry Burgler does triple duty playing King Duncan, the Porter, and the Doctor. He is the founding artistic director of the Ohio Shakespeare Festival. Nick Koesters, returns to the Actors' Summit stage in the role of Macduff. Keith Stevens plays Malcolm, his fourth role in the current season. Daniel Taylor plays Lennox, returning to the Actors' Summit stage for the fourth time; Daniel also has composed original music for this production.

The Reviews

"An eerily thrilling tone pervades Actors' Summit's Macbeth, from the opening percussive chorus that the whole cast creates to the play's final moments, as the three sinister witches beckon a new young king offstage. " according to Kerry Clawson of the Beacon Journal

"As Macbeth, Thackaberry has such a gloomy intensity from the start, we see how this nobleman's dark nature emerges so quickly that he is unable to control his ''black and deep desires.'' Clawson continues "Alexander's Lady Macbeth is believably ruthless" and "Macbeth (Thackaberry) . . . shows remorse for the carnage he is inflicting but is incapable of stopping."

David Ritchey of the West Side Leader writes: "The play Macbeth is being performed in an excellent production at Actors’ Summit Theater . . . Macbeth is helped in his thirst for control by his wife, Lady Macbeth (MaryJo Alexander), who is as power hungry as her husband. Together, they are a formidable pair. . . If Thackaberry and Alexander want to run for office, I’ll vote for them."

Dr. Ritchey continues "Terry Burgler (King Duncan/Porter/Doctor) makes his three roles distinct; he proves once again he is a gifted actor with a wide range of abilities."

Fran Heller of the Cleveland Jewish News remarked: "The production at Actors' Summit, ably directed by Neil Thackaberry is nothing short of heroic." Ms. Heller continues "This production is an instance where . . . Shakespeare's poetry is allowed to breathe."

Performances

Regular performances continue through March 9th. Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. and a final Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. Regular, reserved seat tickets can be purchased by phone by calling (330) 342-0800 or on line at MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.actorssummit.org." claiming to be www.actorssummit.org.

Pay what you can tickets
Please arrive 30 minutes before the start of the performance at the box office. Pay what you can tickets are cash only based on availability. Discounted tickets are for this Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No credit cards and no online orders. There is a suggested minimum price of $10.00 per ticket.

Web site
Actors’ Summit Theater can be found on the web at www.actorssummit.org. Actors' Summit is a professional, not for profit, 501-c-3 professional arts organization. We are seeking volunteers and board members. For more details please call MaryJo or Neil at (330) 342-0800.

Actors' Summit is working under a developmental agreement with Actors' Equity Association (the Union of professional Actors and Stage Managers

MaryJo Alexander

CoArtistic Director
Actors' Summit Theater
86 Owen Brown St
Hudson Oh 44236
330-342-0800
www.actorssummit.org

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