Lady Macbeth (California Torry) washes her hands as the doctor (Tony Haughey) and her servant (MJ Marteeny) stand by and observe in Cardinal Newman High School’s MacBeth. Courtesy of Patrick Boos The Cardinal Newman Card Players braved one of theater’s most infamous curses by successfully presenting “The Scottish Play”… Mac-

beth. Director Patrick Boos agreed to stage this classic at the urging of his junior and senior players, knowing from the start it would be a lot of work and long practices. The principle players were cast before summer vacation to allow extra time to learn lines and blocking. In the fall, the rest of the roles were cast and practice began in earnest in January. Construction of the unique minimalist set was lead by CN parent, Marshall Hurlbert. Nic Smith and John Dixon were responsible for fight choreography and Kim Mason, assisted by Jamie Shinn, did an amazing job on the make–up.

Prince Malcolm (Nick Riccardi), King Duncan (George Kaupp), Macbeth (Zack Jones), and Banquo (John Dixon). Macbeth was ably portrayed by senior (and CN Drama veteran) Zack Jones. Senior California Torry turned in a positively stunning performance as Lady Macbeth. Aside from being in charge of fight choreography senior Nic Smith rounded out the three principle characters of the play with a strong portrayal of a believable and fiery Macduff.

The three witches who act as a root for the main events of the play were spine chillingly portrayed by sophomore Tessa Zimmerman, junior Morgan Nance, and senior Mariah Evely. Senior Kim Spade added a healthy dose of insanity to the fifth act as the mistress of witches Hecate.

Junior John Dixon turned in a eerie performance as Banquo who, through the excellent makeup work of Kim Mason and Jamie Shim, becomes a gory specter who contributes to Macbeth’s descent into madness. The play, excellent all around, had several defining scenes including the death of Lady Macduff and her children, the return of Banquo, and the climactic fatal encounter between Macbeth and Macduff. The latter provided the finest of sword play and palpable enmity between the combatants.

Possibly the most stirring moment of the play was California Torry’s rendition of the famous scene in which Lady Macbeth, in a fit of madness, attempts to wash away her guilt and imagined blood upon her hands. Another dramatic moment which raised gasps from the audience was the brutal murder of Lady Macduff and her offspring by

Macbeth’s team of assassins.

The one priceless moment of comic relief in the play was contributed by Alex Jones as the inebriated porter of Macbeth’s castle rolling out of bed at an unholy hour to admit Macduff all the while spouting drunken commentary with a cockney accent.

While the play was excellent, it is a bittersweet moment for the CN Drama department as this is the last high school production for many of veterans of the Cardinal Newman stage. Director Patrick Boos expressed mingled relief and pride on the last night of the production saying that the players had “pulled it off by giving their best collective effort”. When asked what’s on tap for next year, Boos hinted at a nice mix of comedic and tragic pieces, perhaps including

Trojan Women and something from Molière.