Theater Review - Springtime for Macbeth

Last May, Georgia Shakespeare launched its free Shake at the Lake event during a trial by water. Spring showers threatened to wash out the first performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the dock of Piedmont Park’s Lake Clara Meer. With rain falling throughout Act One and no shelter for the audience, artistic director Richard Garner explains how the theater improvised with a pair of 60-by-90-foot tarps. “Members of the audience, along with every available theater staffer, held them over their heads and huddled underneath throughout the first act. People were taking turns propping up the tarps, bringing each other wine. It could’ve been a disaster, but it was actually really exciting.”

The rain didn’t dampen enthusiasm for the weekend-long production, which played to capacity crowds by the final night. Garner expects a similar turnout for this year’s installment of Shake at the Lake, a remount of Georgia Shakespeare’s October production of Macbeth.

Drew Fracher directed a violent, sexy take on the tragedy last Halloween, and Garner says that the Piedmont Park production will resemble the less gory, slightly altered production staged last year for student matinees. Because of scheduling conflicts, about half the actors will be different - Joanna Mitchell replaces Marni Penning as bloodthirsty Lady Macbeth - but Daniel May returns as the usurping Scotsman. Fracher’s lively, visceral production should nicely suit the outdoor atmosphere of Shake at the Lake. May literally climbs across the set during the “Is this a dagger?” soliloquy, suggesting a “Tarzan Macbeth.” And I mean that in a good way.

Shake at the Lake takes Georgia Shakespeare full circle: The company began with summer repertory performances in a tent on the Oglethorpe University campus before moving to its permanent space at the Conant Performing Arts Center in 1997. “I never thought I’d be dealing with Port-O-Lets and power generators again,” quips Garner.

Garner acknowledges that something about Shakespeare outdoors strikes a chord with audiences. “Shakespeare features so much natural imagery that there’s something magical about seeing the show in the open elements. In Macbeth, they talk about how after Duncan’s death the weather’s gone crazy, and then if you feel the wind blow or see a cloud pass over the moon - it’s a powerful moment, and you can’t plan things like that.”

curt.holman@creativeloafing.com

Macbeth plays May 4-8 on the Lake Lawn of Piedmont Park with performances at 7:30 p.m. Free. 404-264-0020. www.shakeatthelake.com.??