There has been a veritable explosion of outdoor summer performances of Shakespeare in the Chicago area. From Oak Brook to Oz Park, troupes are fighting mosquitoes and warbling soliloquies to the stars.
Keeping track of all the new outdoor theaters is becoming difficult. But as I counted at least 1,000 people on the grounds of Barat College during Shakespeare on the Green’s free version of “Macbeth” last weekend, supply is not outstripping demand. Regardless of the aesthetic limitations of this genre, there’s something curiously cheering about seeing families sitting together on the grass, eating hamburgers and listening to Lady Macbeth spill her soul.
In its seventh season of presenting free Shakespeare, the semiprofessional Shakespeare on the Green has made strides this year. The run of “Macbeth” (the summer’s sole endeavor) has been extended to three weekends, and an Equity actor, Craig Spidle, has been hired to portray the Thane of Cawdor. Although the contours of the grass do not help sightlines, the setup at Barat is quite opulent. And with the entire cast body miked into an excellent sound system, it’s possible for the actors to enjoy intimate moments and yet still be heard by everyone.
Spidle (a Court Theatre favorite) is an impassioned actor who offers an intense, intelligent and mature Macbeth here, with competent support from Laura Jones Macknin, whose Lady Macbeth is less hyperbolic than most. The remainder of the cast is solid, with Melissa Carlson impressive in the difficult role of Lady Macduff.
Karla Koskinen’s blocked production does not make many bold statements, and it’s hard to see the logic of having Macbeth’s death take place off-stage.
But if this is not the most subtle Shakespeare in the world, the pared-down text is well-spoken, competently acted and carefully matched to the surroundings.
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“Macbeth”
When: Through Aug. 1
Where: Barat College, 700 E. Westleigh Rd., Lake Forest
Phone: 847-604-6344
