Last night Lisa and I made our annual Summer Night pilgrimage to Boulder Colorado to experience this year’s highlight in Colorado University’s Shakespeare Festival – The Scottish Play!
It was a beautiful summer night but this year, for the first time, we experienced the Shakespeare Festival at the University’s indoor Roe Green Theatre, instead of the outdoor space which is being renovated.
Now Lisa and I have been attending the Shakespeare Festival every year but one (COVID) since we arrived in NoCo, and each play has been amazing. But last night might have topped the cake.
First off, I purchase tickets as soon as they become available. I like to get the best seats and be as close to the stage as possible because I like to feel the energy from the actors. I also like to find a performance that is close to the date of my wedding anniversary.
Last night was no different.
Lisa and I had a perfect view of the entire stage.
I did remove my hat and glasses (only for reading) before the curtain rose.
I have, of course, studied MacBeth in University – thank you Speed Hill for my only B – and seen MacBeth performed in films, and even saw interesting comedic and dramatic back stories to its production both of which I highly recommend for those looking for and painless introduction to the Bard – Upstart Crow https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4793190/ and Slings & Arrows https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387779/
but I had never had the chance to see it performed live, until last night.
It was amazing.
I cannot possibly do justice to all of the cast – each and every one of them were flawless in their roles, performance and energy. But I have to single out the two leads – MacBeth (Lavour Addison)
and His Lady M (Shunte Lofton)
who electrified the production.
The Three Witches (the Weird Sisters), very close to my heart (namesakes of the mountains in The Claire Saga), were fantastic, and actually made me jump in my seat with some unexpected pyrotechnics in the second act. Fucking brilliant! The lead witch (Noelia Antweiler)
also doubled as the saucy housekeeper who made audience contact – including with me (front row seats rock). Almost as good as the fireworks.
Finally MacDuff (the Caesarian) – Sean Scrutchins
was an actor I have seen in past summers’ productions of the CU Shakespeare festival and played MacDuff to the hilt! Completely awesome final fight scene with MacBeth.
I was blessed to be sitting next to an English Professor and his wife, who both taught Shakespeare in their very long careers, and who, after a brief conversation, bought a copy of The Wise Ass. I must also acknowledge another teacher Lisa and I met before we entered the theatre who also bought a copy of TWA, so I was already in bonus time before the curtain rose. Word of mouth is key. Always be selling.
Anyway, for those of you in NoCo who want a first rate cultural inoculation every summer, I cannot recommend CU’s Shakespeare Festival.
Now I’m hoping to see them perform Romeo & Juliette, The Tempest, Hamlett and maybe Henry VI, Part 1 – if only for Falstaff and Hal. Before I die, get on it.
And thanks to Luke & Georgie for feeding Claire & Honey their final meal for the night in our absence.
It’s so hard to find reliable babysitters, which is why Lisa and I rarely travel together.
So, last night was indeed magical. But now I’m back to the practical magic of Casa Claire, and on top of my regular chores, I have to place the rubber mats down in the new barn. They arrived yesterday.
Shakespeare always makes me want to write.
This fall for certain.
Now you fine, five readers take care of those weekend errands and then get out there and enjoy yourselves. You have earned it.
Me, I’m going to cuddle some kitties, make my rounds and then go get some Einstein Bagels.
Then the mats.
But whatever else we get up to, let us make today a great one.
2 Responses
How interesting that Tommy was in the “MF: section!
The ticket manager must be from Riverdale!