Roving Pittsburgher Report, "Macbeth" The Power of Prophecy, Betrayal, Assassination, Guilt and Revenge

Macbeth

The Power of Prophecy

 Betrayal, Assassination, Guilt and Revenge

Directed by Alan Stanford

PICT Classic Theater

JoAnn R. Forrester, Review

Macbeth, one of Shakespeare’s shortest and darkest plays was first

David Whalen as Macbeth

staged over five hundred years. It’s insights into the human character and the thirst and consequence of greed and power still ring true.

 

The play Macbeth depicts the tale of a brave Scottish General, Macbeth and his wife Lady Macbeth, who become consumed by a prophecy of glory and power based on the prediction of witches heard shortly shortly after a major victory and promotion.  This prophesy grabs him, twists him and turns into a murderous and paranoid man who retains his power by eliminating all those he  perceives as a threat. 

Lady Macbeth passion for power is ignited when she reads the witches prophesy in a letter from her husband.   She sees herself as Queen of Scotland and what is a little murder or two to get what has been prophesized.  She is his eager partner in the royal murder and cover up.  Unexpectedly her conscience raises it head.  Lady Macbeth is gripped in remorse and guilt, and is driven to commit suicide to escape her pain. 

The witches

Macbeth, the “Scottish Play” is a play that is a great challenge to those who embark on it.  It is the one that actors desire and dread.  David Whelan, as Macbeth, is masterful and he passes the actors test.   Lady Macbeth, played by Gayle Pazerski is accomplished as Lady Macbeth who quickly is gripped by the witch’s prophecy and moves to “incite” her husband to strike while it is the opportune time.  Remind me never to be the guest of anyone who has the name Macbeth.

Alan Stoppard is a great director and has that touch that brings the theater alive, whether it is drama, comedy or tragedy.  One of his unique touches was how the witches are portrayed.  They weave an eerie spell of magic with  sinuous movements and their multi layered costumes weave a spell of first they are there and then they are not.

 The Charity Randall Theater captured my imagination with its dark gray vaulted ceiling setting the scene as medieval Scottish castle.  The use of mist to portray the mysterious atmosphere worked well.  The costumes at first seemed drab to me and I wanted to see more color and splendor.  But it worked and forced me and I believe the actors to project their character.  The choreograph scenes of the battles and murders with mist, drums and lighting conveyed the dark murderous times.

I am fascinated by English, Scottish and Irish history.  I revel in reading about the time when the sword and the pike often settle the score and decided who will reign.   It is a bloody ruthless time that we in the US find difficult to understand.  After all, we believe in the “peaceful transfer of power” and fight our battles at the polls.  Of course, if we are honest, we would admit we now use character assassination to accomplish our drive and thirst for political power.  And unfortunately wars are still fought to gain and keep power today.  Regardless of the “reasons” we have wars today; it is still based on Shakespeare’s reading of the human character. 

As one of my British friends would exclaim, “Good show”   I suggest you make the time to see PICT’S Macbeth.  It is first rate theatre.  We are so fortunate to have this first rate Theatre Company with us. Go, enjoy and be immersed in murder and intrigue at its finest. 

Written By: JoAnn R. Forrester
Host of Empress of Biz
Anchor Internet Radio Show on PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com
JoAnn R. Forrester is co-host of the Empress of Biz Talkcast and co-founder, president and partner in S. I. Business Associates, Small Business Solutions, LLC and Celebrate and Share. She is an entrepreneur, writer, business growth specialist, teacher, columnist and award winning writer. JoAnn specializes in helping small businesses grow and prosper. She is the co-developer of the PRICE IT PERFECT™ cost management system for small business, and has secured over 40 million dollars in loans and investment for her clients.
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Kretutzer Sonata 10, Penguins 0

The Kreutzer Sonata

Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theater 10…Penguins 0

JoAnn R. Forrester

Empress of Biz, Listen, Learn& Prosper

S. I. Business Associates

Saturday night the Pittsburgh Penguins played and lost.  But a sure winner also played, The Kreutzer Sonata, presented by the Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theater “PICT” claimed a definite score a 10 in my playbook. 

The play written by Nancy Harris takes a tale by Leo Tolstoy and weaves it into a mesmerizing “thriller” of marriage, lust, love, jealously, sexism , dark black humor and murder.   It’s your classical marriage fate of many “He said he loved me, then treated me awfully and expected me to stay madly in love" marriage tale.   

The play opens up on a train, and with the main character, Pozdynshev, superbly played by Martin Giles, starting a conversation about music and quickly weaves into a tale of his life, first as a single man who is from the upper class where manners count more than character or morals.  He regales us with his conquests and prowess and brags about his callous treatment of women.  Then he confides how he Pozdynshev falls in loves with a beautiful young lady…a virgin of course, their marriage, their children, 5 in 8 years, his distaste and boredom with her, yet still possessing the pride of ownership.    His wife is never called by her given name…she is his property and therefore exists because he allows it.  We actually never hear her name.  After 8 years of marriage and five children his wife starts to shed her mantle of dependency and emerge…and thus lays the foundation of her murder. 

Martin Giles played the part so well…that at times I wanted to get off my seat and walk on stage and slap him.  Which since this was not a hockey game…I did not do.  But then isn’t that the sign of a great actor, that he can create a character that you love to hate or you want to jump up and say, “How stupid can you be?”

Martin Giles gets progressively better, never disappoints!

The staging of the set is spare and lean using video and music to convey all that is needed to take you to a different time and place.  There were times in the play that even though director Alan Stanford  had told you there was only one actor, you thought that someone, his wife or the lover would bound onto the stage. 

 The play hardly seemed like a monologue at all with the beautifully performed violin and piano music in the background performed and taped specifically for Kreutzer Sonata.  Violinist Juan Jaramillo and Pianist Alaine Fink create the perfect backdrop to a spellbinding play.  And sound and music composer Elizabeth Atkinson created  the perfect soundscape. 

Book yourself into this play and enjoy being quickly gripped into its clutches and only released when the last word is spoken.   PICT gets a full 10-- make sure you go and watch this winner.

                        

Roving Pittsburgher Good News Reporter, JoAnn Forrester is the Host of "Empress of Biz, Reinvent in Rugged Times," a business Talkcast syndicated on PPLMag, Pittsburgh's First Internet Radio and TV Network.  You can hear JoAnn and Business friends every Thursday at 9 AM on the TalkShoe network or archived later at:  http://pplmag.com  Jo Ann is also a regular business tip columinist at the Pittsburgh Business Times.

      

Spank, The Fifty Shades Parody or "Girls Just Want to Have Fun!"

SPANK!

The Fifty Shades Parody

Or…."Girls Just Want to Have Fun! Fun!

by Good News Reviewer, JoAnn R. Forrester

E.B., Tasha and fans after show!

Remember those words sung by Cyndi Lauper ...Girls just Want to have fun…well fun "the girls" did last night .  SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody was FUN!  And I believe all those who saw it (sold out house at the Bynham) were ecstatic with the play. .  This was a night that only extremely brave men came out…and there were some.  I guess they wanted to find out what all the fuss has been all about with the "Fifty Shades Saga" …and I bet they are still wondering, but guys who are as suave and sexy as Patrick Whalen and you will have a very happy woman.   

The younger audience just loved Patrick Wayland

The audience, 98% women, was in an excited mood and they were looking for a "good time" and a GOOD time was had by all.  We laughed, we hooted, we cheered and we bonded with one another..  There were so many scenes filled with innuendos, body language and gestures that women could relate, understand and laugh about…it was great.  And we all understood them.  Women from their early 20's to women 70's or more, we all knew the score. For example, the "first night" scenario when Tasha and Hugh unite, make love, bond…"do it" and then Tasha’s bodies reaction the morning after…we all knew the experience and just hooted and laughed in empathy.

The opening scene with Patrick Whalen as Hugh Hanson strutting on stage and posing in various suggestive postures was a great hit.and really got the "ladies" going.  Patrick is a good looking man who knows how to play his lines and use his body language to thrill the ladies.  He has good timing and comic sense and is great fit for the part. 

And there were a few brave men!  Tasha and Fan after show!

Anne Marie Scheffler playing the part of E. B. Janet.the writer was "right on" and knew how to engage us and her characters  longing to create a fantasy that was completely out  of her average woman's life.  Her comic sense, body language, voice all got the part of the "happily married woman" being responsible and juggling all the myriad roles in life while really yearning for that wild fling.that fantasy where the man is there to please you…dominant her,chase her …be aloof…BE RICH…REALLY RICH and yet underneath vulnerable just waiting for her to tame him…to fulfill him.  You get the drift. Janet's writing the part that 99.9% of us never get to live, and we know it is not reality…but oh once in a while that fantasy creeps up and catches us and we got to see it , share it and laughe about it. 

Janet's alter ego, Tasha Woode, played wonderfully by Danielle Trzcinski was delightful.  She did the naive "virgin" Tashe with the right amount of innocence with the yearning to know more…more…and more.  Great comic timing!  She just engaged us from the beginning and reminded us of that time when you want to know everything…but it is also a time of being really scared of knowing everything, a  

Danielle played "the virgin" who enters into a relationship with an older more experienced DOMINANT man who teaches the thrill of it all.  And yet while she is being "thrilled" she is yearning for him to love her.  You know…the old song…will he grow to love me if I please him enough?  I want to know him…really know him…oh well we all know that answer.  At least in the play everyone ends up happy and our fantasies are fulfilled and we all happily bounced out of the theater.  The girls just want to have fun…and last night they did.

Roving Pittsburgher Good News Reporter, JoAnn Forrester is the Host of "Empress of Biz, Reinvent in Rugged Times," a business Talkcast syndicated on PPLMag, Pittsburgh's First Internet Radio and TV Network.  You can hear JoAnn and Business friends every Thursday at 9 AM on the TalkShoe network or archived later at:  http://pplmag.com  Jo Ann is also a regular business tip columinist at the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Roving Pittsburgher Theatre Review for Shatner Geeks

Shatner's World, We Just Live in It

Review of a Legendary Raconteur

by Good News Reporter, Joanne Quinn-Smith

Even if you are not as one of my associates said to me on an encounter on way out of the theatre, “a Shatner Geek, “you at least have seen him on the Priceline Commercials as the Negotiator.  It is obvious in Shatner’s World: We Just Live in It that he has navigated life with as much gusto as he navigates these commercials.  .  In his show he describes his life growing up in Montreal and reflects on his many acting roles using an assortment of photos and video clips.   He tells many memorable stories and talks a great deal about the affect his role in Star Trek had on his life and career.  His presentation runs a gamut of theatrical talents from corny vaudeville jokes to theatrical pathos and laugh out loud slapstick.  His only prop, “his co-chair” he wields a rolling office chair to wend his way through an interesting life story.  A multi-media presentation with music and video and Star Trek Sound Bites make the show both fast paced and believable truly drawing you into the world of William Shatner.

Through anecdotes, songs, jokes and even some poignant moments, you will experience William Shatner’s phenomenal path from classically trained Shakespearean actor to cultural icon, brilliantly creating the larger-than-life and most important character he has ever played, William Shatner.

Long the butt of many late night talk show jokes, the man is an icon (after all you have to be a success to be fodder for late night comics) Shatner is the first to laugh at himself.  You cannot help but be tickled out loud at the tale of his hilarious encounter with the famous sign language speaking gorilla Koko.  And PETA would be impressed by his empathy for his Saddlebred horse’s experience with “stud service” which is not as glamorous or comfortable as us laymen might think.  But on the brink of sadness at this tale he raced us back to the top of his brilliant humor.

Shatner's World was presented by Cohen and Grigsby Trust Series at the Benedum Center on November 29, 2012.  My thirty year old son and I attended and we are former Star Trek geeks of the Klingon genre still we have a soft spot for the original Star Trek Series Stars.  After all who can discount cultural icons like Spock and Captain Kirk?  Also this is probably the only time I could get my thirty year old son to go a date with his 63 year old mother.

Star Trek fans are serious about the genre of science fiction.  Some fans paid $185.00 for a VIP Ticket

for the ultimate Shatner's World VIP Experience

Package Included:


·         Seat in First 6 Rows

·         Post-show meet and greet with William Shatner

·         Photo opportunity with William Shatner

·         Show poster personally autographed by William Shatner

Friends of ours told us they tried to get the package but it sold out quickly, so Shatner fans who were disappointed, at not getting to visit with him up close and personal, you just have to be quicker next time.

The last lines of the show program are:  “…and no there is nothing this man does not do.”  Well you can imagine that William Shatner wrote his own bio because In Shatner’s World… he truly proves to be a Titan of nature and delivers a spectacular “laugh out loud” performance proving he will go down in theatrical history as a legendary raconteur.

Radio Host and Serial Blogger, Joanne Quinn-Smith is the host of PositivelyPittsburghLive™ Internet Talkcast and TechnoGrannyShow™  On her shows, Joanne has interviewed over 1800 guests.  As an advocate for small Business, she was awarded the National Small Business Administration Journalist of the Year Award.  She is also the publisher of PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com which is a 2010 National Stevie Award finalist for best Media Website or Blog. PPL Mag features the GOOD NEWS, about Pittsburgh  and is  Pittsburgh’s First internet radio and TV network. PPL Mag attracted 2.25 million visitors last year.  Her radio network has accumulated over one million listeners. The Creative Energy Officer of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates, Joanne also teaches her online media platform building to small businesses in a client personalized, “Web2.0 Gorilla Branding Training™”.  Connect with Joanne at:  http://joannequinnsmith.com