By Becca Hernandez
REXBURG – Rexburg Community Theatre is in the midst of rehearsals for their upcoming show, Macbeth.
Featuring the theme of one man’s grapple for power and ambition, Macbeth is a Shakespearean classic and among the playwright’s most famous scripts.
Amanda Newman, whose role is Lady Macbeth, describes Macbeth as “a man who desires the best for his life gets sidetracked by the route he takes to get there.”
The show is being performed by a cast made up of Rexburg locals, with actors of all backgrounds and ages coming together to perform.
“There’s a special connection when a bunch of strangers get together to act and practice becoming people,” says Miranda Tyler, who plays both Lady Macduff and a servant. “By the end, you’re all friends.”
With the cast thrilled and ready, the response from the community has been mixed because Macbeth is a tragedy, rather than a comedy. Questions have been raised as to whether this is a play suitable for family audiences.
While it does feature troubling themes of sanity and murder, all violence happens offstage. Additionally, the script has been adjusted to be more family friendly. While the content may be concerning to some at first, the morals in the end are beneficial.
“There will be comedy even though it’s a tragedy.” explains Lucas Buchanan, the director. “The only difference between a comedy and a tragedy is that a comedy ends in a marriage and a tragedy in a death.”
In fact, Buchanan made the selection of Macbeth for this year’s Shakespeare in the Park performance.
Shakespeare in the Park is meant to celebrate all the works of the playwright, comedies and tragedies included. With last year’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream being a comedy, Buchanan and the two producers, Samuel and Jesse Head, decided that a tragedy should be up next. It was a happy coincidence that Buchanan had a script of Macbeth on hand. And what better play to choose than Macbeth, one of Shakespeare’s most famous?
The production does have some irony in being performed during the presidential election year. The tale follows the titular character, Macbeth, as he receives a prophecy that he will be crowned king of the country and begins his quest for power, falling deep into manipulation, betrayal, and paranoia.
But as ironic as a comparison of Macbeth and the fight for presidential office may be, the selection was simply a “happy accident,” says Buchanan. “People can read into it as much or as little as they want to,” he adds. Above all else, Shakespeare’s plays are meant to entertain.
For those planning to attend, be advised, it’s best to throw theatre etiquette out the window. Shakespeare plays are designed to be interactive with the audience. When asked what he was most looking forward to for the performance, Director Buchanan says, “Encouraging that audience participation, asking questions, seeing if we get people to shout at the actors. I’m really looking forward to that.”
Buchanan’s one piece of advice to people coming to see the play? Make sure to bring a good chair.
The free performances will be shown on July 5, 6, and 8 at the Beehive Pavilion stage at Porter Park. Every show will open at 6:30 p.m. with an introduction and prelude and the main show will begin at 7 p.m.
