STAGE TUBE: Behind the Scenes with Acting Company & Guthrie's MACBETH and 'A CONNECTICUT YANKEE' on Tour

The Acting Company in association with The Guthrie Theater presents William Shakespeare's "Macbeth," directed by Devin Brain; and "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court," adapted by acclaimed playwright Jeffrey Hatcher from the novel by Mark Twain, directed by Ian Belknap. Click below to go behind the scenes with the companies from both productions!

"Our newly commissioned adaptation of Mark Twain's "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" by Jeffrey Hatcher (writer of the screenplay for the movie "Tuesdays with Morrie" and the TV series "Columbo") had its world premiere Feb. 18 at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis prior to our 42nd national tour," announced The Acting Company's producer and co-founder, Margot Harley. "'Connecticut Yankee' will tour to 14 states running in repertory with a new production of William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' (debuting at the Guthrie in Feb. 24), stopping in New York for two weeks at Off-Broadway's Pearl Theater April 1-12. This is our seventh tour in association with the Guthrie." The MAC engagement of The Acting Company will be the only Chicago area stop on this tour.

Under the direction of Devin Brain (known to Chicagoans as a company member of the theater company The Hypocrites), The Acting Company's 90-minute sleek and accessible production of "Macbeth" is perfect for both Shakespeare novices and experts alike. Noted Brain, "In 'Macbeth, 'one of his darkest and most powerful tragedies, Shakespeare dramatizes the psychological and political impact of when evil is chosen to satisfy the ambition for power."

The 10 person cast for "Macbeth" includes the following: Ian Gould (Duncan/Porter), Angela Janas* (Lady Macbeth), Torsten Johnson* (Malcolm), Suzy Kohane* (Weird Sister), Gabriel Lawrence (Macbeth), Adam Mondschein (Macduff), Andy Nogasky (Banquo/Siward), Grant Fletcher Prewitt (Rosse/Murderer), Joshua David Robinson (Lennox/Murderer) and Susanna Stahlmann* (Fleance/Lady Macduff).

The creative team for "Macbeth" includes Neil Patel (Set Design), Valérie Thérèse Bart (Costume Design), Michael Chybowski (Lighting Design), Nathan Roberts and Charles Coes (Composer/Sound Design) Felix Ivanov (Fight Director), Elizabeth Smith (Voice and Speech Consultant) and Frank Oliva (Property Design).

"This tour is a great pairing of comedy and tragedy - the world's greatest playwright coupled with America's most beloved humorist," observed Ian Belknap, The Acting Company's Artistic Director and director of "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court." Legendary American humorist Mark Twain's 1889 novel of the same name is often credited as the foundation for the literary genres of science fiction and time travel. After a blow to the head, Hank Morgan of Hartford Conn. awakens to find himself transported back to the time of legendary King Arthur. Hank astonishes the denizens of the Middle Ages with modern medicine and technology. But soon it becomes unclear if these tricks from the future will help or hinder King Arthur's course.

The cast of "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" includes Angela Janas* (Jill/Guinevere), Torsten Johnson* (Chet/Lancelot), Suzy Kohane* (Lanie/Sandy), Adam Mondschein (Duff/Arthur) Ian Gould (Mr. Olzeski/Merlin), Gabriel Lawrence (Randy/Sir Kay), Andy Nogasky (Hank), Grant Fletcher Prewitt (Charlie/Clarence) and Joshua David Robinson (Doober/Mordred) and Susanna Stahlmann* (Carolyn/Morgan Le Fay).

The creative team includes Neil Patel (Set Design), Candice Donnelly (Costume Design), Michael Chybowski (Lighting Design), Fitz Patton (Sound Design), Felix Ivanov (Fight Director) and Frank Oliva (Property Design).

On tour, the company is joined by Mark Bly (Dramaturg), Jereme Kyle Lewis (Stage Manager), Sophie Quist (Assistant Stage Manager), Joseph Mitchell Parks (Company Manager) and Devin Brain (Staff Repertory Director).

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