Moonlit 'Macbeth' Casts Right Spell

Leo Stutzin, Bee Arts Editor
Modesto Bee Tuesday, June 29, 1999

MURPHYS - "Macbeth" by moonlight? Witches writhing in a lush and lovely vineyard at the center of a tranquil California valley? Moving trees of Scotland's Birnam Wood that look suspiciously like manzanitas?

You can find them all at the Stevenot Winery these days, in Murphys Creek Theatre's fourth season of Theater under the Stars

Don't laugh. The endeavor is engrossing, if rough-edged.

In visual treatment, as medieval drama, it is faithful to Shakespeare; in verbal presentation, it is perfectly clear; in staging, it uses the grassy slopes for effects that would be envied on occasion by high-budget professional theaters.

The famed tragedy opened the Troupe’s first two-show summer season over the weekend. It will be joined Thursday by the romantic/comic "Twelfth Night." There's no doubt that the idyllic surroundings make it difficult to suspend. disbelief and get into the violent mood of the broadsword-swinging prologue that launches this "Macbeth."

Then along come the witches, to cast the theatrical spell. No warty-nosed hags, these. Director Jeff McDonald's harpies are lithe and slinky, oozing malice and sensuality.

Their faces painted in weird hues - one in green, one red, one yellow - and streaked in black, their bodies sheathed in black tights festooned to suggest tatters, they appear throughout the play, not simply in the three scenes Shakespeare gave them.

Looming over the macabre banquet scene and several others, they seem to control events and not just predict them. They also return in many human roles - the murderers of Banquo and Lady Macduff, among others - less successfully, injecting confusion rather than illumination.

Sheila Doyle delivers the most compelling of the three fine performances bristling with reptilian evil. Her cohorts around the cauldron are Lisa Shattuck and Kim Saunders.

As Macbeth and his Lady, Vince Tycer and Deborah Tay1or contribute performances that are more commendable for clarity than for any special insights. Both have solid stage credits from the Bay Area, but neither gives credible depth to two of the greatest and gravest roles in the world of theater. Maybe it's a matter of age. Both appear to be in their 20s.

One bit of offbeat casting is surprisingly effective: Debra Baskin as Malcolm, the heir to Scotland's throne.

A Delta College graduate, she endows the part with earnest force and delivers his speeches with volume and intelligence.

Others in the cast of 21 include Douglas Kester as Banquo, :John Gallagher as Macduff, Sarah Grimes as his doomed wife and Graham Green as the drunk-en porter who injects the drama's lone comic moment.

All contribute clean performances, with Grimes especially moving. as Lady Macduff.

Mark Wilson designed the sturdy and smoothly functioning set, a multi-level structure with the look of solid granite. It includes a castle tower that revolves to become the witches' cave, crenelated battlements and a broad stairway that supports the athleticism of the obligatory sword fights.

A few standard outdoor theater reminders are in order: blankets, lawn chairs and picnics are invited; a warm jacket might keep you comfortable; ditto for mosquito repellent.