Macbeth
at Northwood High School

Reviewed on March 8, 2014

Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Montgomery

"Double, double, toil and trouble," jealousy burns and murder bubbles. As the blood of murder stains and bubbles in the minds of a young king and his wife, we wonder which is worse: the crime or the guilt associated with it. Deceit and violence run rampant as the lust for power, wealth, and conquest takes root in Northwood High School's production of the classic gruesome tale, Macbeth.

Macbeth still remains one of William Shakespeare's most popular tragedies, its first performance occurring circa 1611. Since then, the time-honored play, like many other Shakespearean works, has enjoyed countless adaptations in art, film, theatre, and television, including the current run of Punchdrunk's site-specific rendition in New York City, Sleep No More. The bard's tale takes place in Scotland, where General Macbeth receives an eerie prophecy from three witches stating that he will one day become king. Obsessively power-hungry, Macbeth and his equally ruthless wife, Lady Macbeth, vow to murder the current king of Scotland. However, the two soon spiral into psychological and political hysteria as they attempt to hide their heinous crime with even more violent and inhumane results.

Portraying the title character, Michael Katz displayed the Scottish king's intriguing descent into madness with a notable Shakespearean accent as his booming voice bellowed throughout the theater. Katz's abrupt changes in emotion and intensity, as well his gravelly speech and nimble tumbling skills during stage combat brawls, added authenticity to the sense of mental deterioration. Opposite him, Emma-Lea Jacklin played Lady Macbeth, one of Shakespeare's most powerful female roles of all time. Jacklin displayed a fine range of cunning interactions with other characters, whether she was enticing a future murder victim or taunting Macbeth for his lack of manliness.

One of the most memorable highlights of the show, the trio of three witches (Mica Lewis, Brianna Lattanzio, and Naomi Eskenazi) and their surrounding slew of blood-thirsty minions created several ghoulish scenes filled with high-pitched cackles, creepy contortions, and synchronized, ominous chants. The wickedly talented group captured attention every time they came on stage, highlighting their sense of otherworldliness by bringing something new to each scene with different blocking levels and warped movements. Also notable was Nick Lingenfelter as Macduff, a Scottish nobleman suspicious of Macbeth's hasty ascent to the throne. Lingenfelter successfully fulfilled the archetype of an avenging hero, displaying some tender moments of grief, as well fiery anger.

Though some characters' physicality could have been explored more deeply, the cast should be commended for taking on the challenging Shakespearean language. Despite some melodramatic moments, each actor powered through the production with determined energy.

Student performers were able to capitalize on adult-run technical elements by matching various background music tracks with similar tones in the dynamics of scenes. In addition, the witch and minion ensembles successfully utilized a plethora of macabre props, including a bubbling cauldron of fog and realistic-looking severed limbs.

All in all, the cast and crew of Macbeth successfully captured personae of "murdering ministers…waiting on nature's mischief." Displaying a range of poignant, somber scenes and potent rumbles, the production was as beautiful as it was bewitching.

Eni Oyeleye
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Montgomery

Plato once said, "The measure of a man is what he does with power". The pursuit of power and what people do after they get it is explored in Northwood High School's production of Macbeth, a play in which forging new paths often comes with a heavy price.

Most commonly reported to be written in 1606, William Shakespeare's Macbeth is one of the famed playwright's darkest tragedies. Countless stage and film adaptations have followed its 17th century premier, including a recent one-man Broadway revival. The tragedy follows the fulfillment of the menacing Three Witches prophecy, in which Macbeth eventually becomes king of Scotland. Macbeth and his ruthless wife Lady Macbeth fall to astounding lows in order to bring the prophecy to fruition.

The cast faced the arduous task of performing one of the most well-known English-language plays ever written. A classic if there ever was one, the cast faced the challenge of living up to expectations of how the play should be performed. Although there were minor technical problems and there were moments when diction and the handling of the language were lacking, the cast met the overall expectations admirably.

Leading the show was Michael Katz as Macbeth. Katz portrayed the confliction that his character often feels about the morality of his actions with great emotional height. In some ways dominated by his overbearing wife, Michael portrayed the demure side of his character well, while simultaneously characterizing his Macbeth as strong and willful. After a particularly strong first act, Michael commendably completed the character arc into a darker, haunted man in the second act.

The Three Witches and their minions created an outstanding ensemble. The Witches and minions were quite a large group; and their presence on stage could have overwhelmed the audience, but it certainly did not. They only added to every scene they were in. They had an ominous understated presence when necessary, but when presented with intense moments in which nothing less than complete terror was in order, this wonderful ensemble never failed to deliver. One of the most memorable instances the group's haunting prowess was The Three Witches along with their minions dancing around a cauldron of simulated fire that left the audience impressed and noticeably spooked. The standout of the night was Celene Daniels as Murderer 1, in addition to her portrayal of a Witches' minion. Her striking stage presence and strong mannerisms immediately caught the eyes of the audience members, making it hard to look away. Celene's portrayal of multiple personae reflects a common occurrence in this relatively small cast.

Although some characters appeared not to fully understand their dialogue, Northwood High School put on an estimable production of Macbeth, which proves that a play written more the 500 years ago can provide as much intrigue as the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Emma Paquette
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to ShowBizRadio.net

Eerie light spills from the sky as rain begins to pour on the victorious generals of Scotland, Macbeth and Banquo, making their way back from the front. The fog slithers past them, obscuring their vision of what is to follow. It seems like a night for spirits- or witches, as the case might be. It is this night that the horrible events of Macbeth will begin to transpire with echoing voices telling of all-too-tempting promises. Northwood High School's production of the Shakespearean classic portrayed this cautionary tale with gusto.

Macbeth, also called ‘the Scottish play' by the superstitious theatre community, is one of William Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. The play was written around 1606 and has been performed frequently in the many following centuries, due to its compelling look at the corrupting nature of ambition and the destruction that stems from ruthless power. Macbeth is a loyal and talented Scottish general until he is given a prophecy from a trio of Weird Sisters, foretelling that he will one day be king. When other promises that fell from their lips begin to be realized, Macbeth and his wife's bitter desire propel them into a sinful plot to fulfill their destiny.

The show was headed ably by Michael Katz as the tortured and emotional titular character. Among a cast that sometimes faltered in energy, he kept the intensity at high levels with his booming voice and wild gestures. His scheming wife was portrayed with commitment by Emma-Lea Jacklin who provided an interesting foil to Katz's great rages. The two worked together to ceaselessly push the show along towards its terrifying and dramatic conclusion. Macduff (Nick Lingenfelter), Macbeth's final enemy who brings the tyrant to his knees, also gave a standout performance.

The performers in the diverse ensemble of the show served their purposes well in order to keep the twisted story moving along smoothly. Sam Gracia gave a memorable performance as King Duncan in the short space of time before Macbeth murders him to further his dark designs. Gracia was regal and royal in his speech and mannerism, possessing a needed gravitas that was sometimes missing from this production.

However, it is the witches and their creeping minions who deserve special recognition for their captivatingly spooky performances. The three Weird Sisters (Mica Lewis, Brianna Lattanzio, Naomi Eskenazi) embodied the otherworldly beings with smooth fluidity and powerful chants. Their ethereal existence was highlighted by shifting, shadowy lights and rolling fog that misted across the stage whenever they appeared. Their crowd of flesh-eating minions also contributed to the horrifying images with their possessed movements and growling noises. An interesting choice was to have these minions play other roles surrounding Macbeth's downfall such as the talented Celene Daniels who threw herself into her minion role as well as one of the assassins who slaughters Banquo.

Just when all seems solved and good, the Weird Sisters appear once more, swarming over Malcolm in a promise of an endless cycle of corruption. The memorable tale of Macbeth and his wife is a lesson on the corrupting nature of power and greed; one that will continue to ensnare audiences in its tantalizing web for centuries to come. Northwood High School gave a respectable and enjoyable performance of the spellbinding story.

Liesl Jaeger
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Maryland Theatre Guide

Fog seeps across the stage as a high, eerie tune fills the breathless air. Dark figures move harshly to the music, casting menacing shadows as three witches wail curses and glide about each other in a flurry of physicality. Welcome to Northwood High School's production of William Shakespeare's murderous tale of Macbeth.

Often referred to as "The Scottish Play," many believe Macbeth to be cursed and will not speak the name of the show in a theatre for fear that disaster will strike. The show follows Macbeth, a Scottish nobleman, as his sinister ambition is fueled by prophecies of greatness by the Weird Sisters and his passion is enlarged by his wife, Lady Macbeth. Eventually, desires overtake his reason and drive him to insanity and ultimately, death.

Northwood High School handled the difficulties of the show with refined style. By projecting images onto a backdrop and utilizing simple, minimalistic set pieces, they managed to portray the multitude of settings in Macbeth. The enthusiastic cast took on the nuances of Shakespeare's language bravely, showing their dedication to performing a difficult show.

The cast was anchored by the charmingly murderous duo of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, portrayed by Michael Katz and Emma-Lea Jacklin. Katz handled the enormity of his part and complexity of his character well, delivering each line with enthusiasm. Complimenting Katz's eagerness was Jacklin's shrewish characterization of Lady Macbeth. By contrasting the lightness of her movements with the harshness of her vocals, Jacklin managed to portray Lady Macbeth as both a tender wife to Macbeth and the catalyst to his ambition.

Led by the Witches (Mica Lewis, Brianna Lattanzio, Naomi Eskenazi), the ensemble of Witch Minions (Priscilla Perez, Catherine Rosales, Navagayae Simpson, Sophia Sar, Eloise Cates) created an ominous aura that was consistent throughout the entire play. Each member of the cast brought tremendous energy to the stage, but Celene Daniels as Murderer 1 carried an entirely new vitality which uplifted many scenes. While others seemed slightly uncomfortable in their bodies, Daniels managed to let go of her inhibitions to commit wholeheartedly to her movements. Daniels' extreme dedication created a well-developed, purposeful physicality and her performance and fervor encouraged the rest of the ensemble and enriched their performances.

Lighting and sound enhanced the minimalistic set, bringing believability to the myriad of settings. Each scene had different lighting, and color and intensity often transitioned during scenes themselves, enhancing the atmosphere of each beat. Sound was ambitious, with each actor equipped with a microphone and background music playing throughout most of the production.

As one of Shakespeare's most well-known tragedies, Macbeth is no easy play to perform and Northwood's cast executed the show respectably, exploring deep questions of passion and power with courage.

Makiko Miyazaki
Walt Whitman High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - ARL/MC/Mont/DC

"Yet here's a spot. Out, damned spot!" Lady Macbeth's shriek of agony pierces the audience in any production of the poignant play, Macbeth. The unsettling scene, in which she, driven mad by the countless murders she helped commit to push her husband to power, tries to wash off the nonexistent blood on her guilty hands, burns into the audience's eyes. Staying loyal to precedent, Northwood High School's production of Macbeth unmasked the true cost of seizing power blinded by greed.

Written by William Shakespeare in 1606, in the reign of James I, a king of Scotland who succeeded the English throne, Macbeth is considered one of the playwright's darkest, most powerful tragedies. It narrates the story of Lord Macbeth (Michael Katz), a Scottish general, who receives a prophecy from the Witches that he will become King of Scotland. Fueled by ambition and egging on from his wife, Macbeth usurps power by murdering the king. However, as they are forced to commit more murders to protect his throne, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth grow increasingly paranoid, even to the point of sheer madness.

Northwood High School's production was characterized by inventive concepts that individualized the popularly-performed play. By taking over the pre-show announcement to turn off cell phones and by indicating the start of intermission, the Witches immersed the audience in the story for the entire performance. Meanwhile, the Witches' minions played featured roles surrounding Macbeth, thereby suggesting that they manipulate Macbeth's life to doom. The set was replaced by a screen projection of images, which facilitated the change in settings and added an intriguing element to the plot.

Michael Katz effectively portrayed Macbeth's multifaceted character who transforms from power-hungry to mentally shaken. As king, he commanded the stage with his booming voice, yet he also revealed his tormented side by pulling his hair and having a distressed look in his eyes. Playing his opposite was Lady Macbeth (Emma-Lea Jacklin), who adapted a seemingly sweet and innocent side that persuades Macbeth to commit heartless murders.

By sweeping upon Macbeth throughout the play, the Witches (Mica Lewis, Brianna Lattanzio, and Naomi Eskenazi) established presence as the catalyst in leading Macbeth to self-ruin. Swaying constantly and shrieking with laughter, they successfully conveyed their otherworldly nature. In addition, Celine Daniels (Murderer 1) grabbed the audience's attention by her consistent mad glint in her eyes and evil leering. Although the cast sometimes had difficulties with diction and with understanding the meaning of their lines, many delivered their lines convincingly.

The technical elements successfully established the play's mood, which is essential to driving the plot. By illuminating the stage in different colors and using blinding flashes of light, and by playing music of mounting intensity, lights and sound, respectively, created a sense of foreboding and danger throughout the performance. The blue and pink eye makeup and black lipsticks of the Witches and their minions added to their unearthly character.

Macbeth portrays the disturbing extent to which an usurpation of power through evil corrodes the ruler. Although the play is written more than 400 years ago, the message is still alarmingly applicable to today. Living in a nation liberated from oppressive ruling, the audience lauds Northwood High School drama students for bringing Macbeth's timeless message to light.

Yena Seo
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Montgomery Gazette

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. But how far will some people go to obtain absolute power? In a remarkable production of Macbeth, Northwood High School followed one man's desire for command and conquest and his eventual descent into paranoia, demonstrating the corrosiveness of power through William Shakespeare's classic tale of murder, madness and mayhem.

Considered to be Shakespeare's most sinister play, Macbeth was written in 1606 and was one of Shakespeare's last tragedies to be performed. The play chronicles the transformation of the virtuous and noble Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, whose rise to power and kingship is prophesied by a trio of witches known as the Weird Sisters. As Macbeth commences a series of murders and regicide to secure his ascent to the throne, he falls into a downwards spiral of insanity, riddled with guilt from his traitorous actions.

Though many productions place their own thematic twists to the show, Northwood High School stayed true to Macbeth's original medieval Scotland setting. Images of grand castles and magnificent halls were projected onto a backdrop to represent the abundance of settings in the show, while background music created a fast-paced and haunting atmosphere. Kaleidoscopic lighting and the use of a fog machine were appropriately eerie as the many changing colors cast ominous silhouettes of the actors onstage.

Northwood's enthusiastic cast carried the production with tremendous zeal, and bravely took on the demanding Shakespearean language. Michael Katz imbued the titular character of Macbeth with a combination of ardor, anger and ambition, tackling the immensely difficult role with tenacity and aplomb. Katz's depiction of Macbeth's dwindling morals was notable as he enthusiastically portrayed his transformation from a noble man to a deceitful, wicked king. Emma-Lea Jacklin provided the complement to Katz's eager performance with her multi-layered characterization of the ruthless Lady Macbeth. Jacklin's articulation and fine physicality were memorable, and both leading actors succeeded in depicting their characters' dramatic decline into madness.

A number of performers stood out from amongst the cast, carrying the production with fervor. While each cast member brought high esprit to the stage, Celene Daniels as Murderer 1 demonstrated true mastery and understanding of her role as she captivated the audience's attention in nearly every scene. Daniels was truly terrifying through her extreme movements and haunting stare, and her dedication helped enrich other actors' performances to create a large, uniform ensemble. The three Weird Sisters, played by Mica Lewis, Brianna Lattanzio and Naomi Eskenazi, were perfectly sinister, and the trio displayed strong commitment to character to set a consistent, perilous tone for the play. Additionally, Nick Lingenfelter and Sam Kreitzberg gave noteworthy performances as Macduff and Banquo, easily gaining sympathies from the audience for their good-hearted characters. Despite some overall issues with enunciation and projection and occasional moments of awkward physicality, the entire cast gave passionate and commendable performances.

Though Macbeth is often referred to as a cursed show, Northwood High School's production of the Scottish play was anything but. The talented cast and crew of Northwood High School, through eager performances and distinguished energy, succeeded in executing Shakespeare's dramatic marvel in an admirable production of Macbeth.