Parkrose High Theater to present ‘Macbeth’

Find out why we refer to this production only as “The Scottish Play” while we’re in their theater! And, see why you should plan to see this great production …

The cast of Macbeth gathers onstage. At front left, it’s Breanna Beveridge, who will play Lady Macbeth, and Zeth Hillman Johnson as King Macbeth of Scotland.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
“Shhh,” says Derek Lane – he’s helping to ready the cast at Parkrose High School for their upcoming production, opening on November 2. “Remember, we don’t utter the name of the play here in the theater – it’s very, very bad luck!”

So, we ask how their production of the “The Scottish Play” is coming along.

Without mentioning “Macbeth”, Lane reminds us he’s stepped in to coach the student actors while Ms. Zena is on an emergency family leave.

“Zena sees many relationships and parallels between our current economic and political situation worldwide, and this story. While working with her students, together they’ve been noting these similarities to a story set in Scotland in medieval times, and what we’re saying in our world and society today.”

Derek Lane, the acting coach and assistant director of Parkrose High Theater’s Macbeth, coaches student actors as they rehearse blocking for their upcoming show.

Lane, an experienced theatrical director, says he’s impressed with how Zena has updated the show. “In its full length, it runs well over three hours. But, this version of the show [we can write Macbeth, while outside the theater!] is fast-moving and concise. Yet it still has the wonderful Shakespearean language that our student actors perform.”

Asked what he likes best about this play, Lane says “It’s that it offers so many interesting opportunities for the actors. In addition to speeches, there are battles, and quite a bit of action.”

What spells and evil plans are witches Jade Bradford, Harrison Lusby and Courtney Earls cooking up for King Macbeth, played by Zeth Hillman Johnson?

Macbeth opens Wednesday, November 2
Plan to see Macbeth. There’s intrigue, mystery, murderers, plotting, witches and incantations – enough to keep audiences of all ages entertained.

This unique performance of Macbeth opens on Wednesday, November 2, and plays on Thursday, November 3 – then, again, in two more mid-week shows on November 9 and 10.

The curtain rises at 7:00 p.m.
All tickets — available at the door — are just $5.

All performances are at the Parkrose High School Theatre, 12003 NE Shaver Street, just west of NE 122^nd Avenue.

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