Meet the Cast of Twelfth Night

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Collage2Midsommer Flight is thrilled to announce the cast and production staff of Twelfth Night. We have a fantastically talented group of artists assembled to create the show.

Twelfth Night‘s cast will feature five Midsommer Flight ensemble members, three returning guest artists, and six new guest artists. In addition, six members of the cast will both act and play original music onstage throughout the show.

Admission to Twelfth Night is FREE, but reservations are recommended due to limited seating. Reservations are now available — book your tickets today!

Cast (in alphabetical order)

Will Burdin Antonio, Duke’s Attendant, Sailor
Jared Dennis Malvolio
Meredith Ernst Viola
Adam Habben Andrew Aguecheek
Kanome’ Jones Olivia
Jake Jones Sebastian
Nick Loumos Orsino
Alex Mauney Feste
Ian Michael Minh Sea Captian, Curio, Officer 2
Elizabeth Rentfro Maria / Music Director
Erick Rivera Sailor, Duke’s Attendant, Officer 1
Chris Smith Toby Belch / Violence Designer
Trey Wright Valentine, Sailor, Priest
Maureen Yasko Fabian, Duke’s Attendant, Sailor

Production Staff

Beth Wolf Director
Monisa Victrum Assistant Director
Julia Farrell Diefenbach Box Office Manager
Elizabeth Shorrock Costume Designer
Chris Smith Violence Designer
Elizabeth Rentfro Composer/Music Director
Dylan S. Roberts MF Producing Manager

Elizabeth Rentfro Joins Midsommer Flight Ensemble

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Rentfro ElizabethMidsommer Flight is thrilled to welcome new ensemble member Elizabeth Rentfro!

Elizabeth appeared as Balthasar in Much Ado About Nothing in 2014, for which she also composed the show’s signature song, Sigh No More, Ladies. Most recently, Elizabeth appeared in 2015’s Macbeth as Lady Macduff and the Gentlewoman. Midsommer Flight is so excited to add Elizabeth’s acting and musical talents, along with her deep knowledge of and passion for Shakespeare, to the company.

Around town, Elizabeth can currently be seen in (re)Discover Theatre’s immersive adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. She will also be seen in Midsommer Flight’s upcoming Twelfth Night; in addition to performing in the cast, she will also compose original music and serve as the music director for the show.

Welcome to the team, Elizabeth9

MACBETH by the Numbers

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Another summer under our belts! Macbeth marked our fourth summer in the parks. Here’s how it went, by the numbers…

1,224 total audience members saw the play
102 average audience members at each performance
33 characters with distinct costumes
18 actors
15 scheduled performances
12 performances started
11 performances completed
8 weeks
8 swords used onstage
6 production staff members
5 knives/daggers used onstage
4 Chicago parks
3 battle axes used onstage
2 shields used onstage
2 performances canceled due to weather
1 performance stopped halfway through due to severe flash storm
1 understudy performed one show due to an actor’s family emergency
1 performance canceled due to an actor’s wife going into labor 6.5 weeks early

Many challenges. Even more victories. One amazing summer.

Macbeth-Midsommer_15-002

 

Weather Policy

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As the First Murderer proclaims in Macbeth: “Let it come down!”

Midsommer Flight performs rain or shine, as long as there is an audience to watch the show and as long as conditions are safe to do so. A little rain shouldn’t deter us, but a violent thunderstorm probably would.

Unless the forecast is certain, a decision to cancel is usually made very close to show time. You can keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook pages for up-to-the-minute cancellation information.

For now, we are trying to stay optimistic about tonight’s opening performance. See you at Touhy Park — live music at 5:30 PM and Macbeth at 6:00 PM. Bring chairs, blankets, picnics…and umbrellas!

PHOTOS: More Sneak Peeks at Macbeth

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Last week we posted the first photos of this summer’s Macbeth. But we got so many great shots that we just have to post a few more. Enjoy!

Like what you see? Donate to support the show, and plan your trip to see a performance.

The Macbeths (Colin Wasmund and Maureen Yasko)
The Macbeths (Colin Wasmund and Maureen Yasko)
Macbeth (Colin Wasmund) and Macduff (Chris Smith)
Macbeth (Colin Wasmund) and Macduff (Chris Smith)
The Witches (Keyanna Khatiblou, Stephanie Mattos, Elise Spoerlein)
The Witches (Keyanna Khatiblou, Stephanie Mattos, Elise Spoerlein)

 

PHOTOS: First Look at Macbeth

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Thanks to photographer Zack Whittington for these preliminary photos of Macbeth. Here’s a sneak peek at Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, plus sword fights, witches and more.

Like what you see? Donate to support the show, and plan your trip to check out a performance later this summer.

Macbeth (Colin Wasmund) and Lady Macbeth (Maureen Yasko)
Macbeth (Colin Wasmund) and the Witches (Keyanna Khatiblou, Stephanie Mattos, & E.M. Davis)
The Witches (Keyanna Khatiblou, Stephanie Mattos, Elise Spoerlein)
Macduff (Chris Smith) and Macbeth (Colin Wasmund)
Macduff (Chris Smith) and Macbeth (Colin Wasmund)
Macduff (Chris Smith) and Macolm (Julian Stroop)

PHOTOS: First Outdoor Rehearsal

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On Saturday, we held our first outdoor rehearsal for Macbeth in Touhy Park. It was day full of glorious weather, sword fights, staging, and kids playing soccer alongside us. We can’t wait to get out there some more!

FIght rehearsal
Fight rehearsal…with battle axes
“Come you spirits…” – Maureen Yasko as Lady Macbeth
“When you durst do it, then you were a man” – Colin Wasmund and Maureen Yasko
Duncan enters with his train
“If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly” – Colin Wasmund
“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition” – Colin Wasmund
“Is the King stirring?” – Colin Wasmund and Chris Smith
“You’re royal father’s murdered” – Jerome Beck and Julian Stroop
“I’ll to England” ” To Ireland I” – Jerome Beck and Julian Stroop
“Let’s briefly put on manly readiness” – Jeremy Thompson, Colin Wasmund, Chris Smith
“Is’t known who did this more than bloody deed?” – Francisco Lopez, Jr and Chris Smith

“Can I ask you something?”

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Midsommer Flight’s annual fundraising campaign is underway to support Macbeth in the parks this summer. Please help us reach our goal to raise $1,250 through crowdsourced funding.

Donate Now.

Your donation makes a difference. Midsommer Flight ensemble member Meredith Ernst, who played Margaret in last summer’s Much Ado About Nothing, shared this story:

Last year after a performance of Midsommer Flight’s Much Ado, a little boy came up to me after the show and said, “hey-hey-hey can I ask you something?” I responded, “of course!” And the boy said, “why can’t people just be honest and upfront with each other? That would just make things so much easier. Claudio should have talked to Hero first.”

 

Dumbfounded, I said, “what are you, 8?” (He was 10.) We talked for about ten minutes after that. The point of this story is, Shakespeare is important, relevant, and Midsommer Flight does really great work.

Take Meredith’s word for it: Midsommer Flight is worth supporting. Our work in the parks brings the arts to Chicago communities, but we can’t do it without support from people like you. Thank you!

Donate Today.

Cast Announcement: A Drum, A Drum, Macbeth Doth Come…

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Collage HeadshotsWe are only a few weeks away from beginning rehearsals for this summer’s outdoor production of Macbeth. If you haven’t heard about our 2015 season yet, you can check out the Current Season page or read the full press release. We have exciting things planned this year, including a new winter show in December inside the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

But before that, we have a whole summer to enjoy first! Midsommer Flight is especially thrilled to announce the cast and crew of Macbeth. We can’t wait to get to work with these incredibly talented artists.

Macbeth runs July 11 through August 30, touring to four different parks. We hope to see you this summer!

Cast (in alphabetical order):
Matt Bartholomew……….Duncan / Seyward
Jerome Beck……………….Donalbain / Norwegian Soldier / Dunsinane Soldier
Adam Habben…………….Murderer 1 / Menteith / Macdonwald
Christina Renee Jones……Porter / Messenger / Doctor
Margaret Kellas……………Fleance / Son / Young Seyward
Keyanna Khatiblou……….Witch 1
Francisco Lopez, Jr………..Ross
Nick Loumos………………Lenox
Stephanie Mattos…………Witch 2
Andrew McClelland……….Seyton / Norwegian Soldier
Elizabeth Rentfro………….Lady Macduff / Gentlewoman
Chris Smith……………….Macduff / Norwegian Soldier
Elise Spoerlein…………….Witch 3
Julian Stroop…………….Malcolm
Jeremy Thompson……….Banquo / Dunsinane Soldier
Colin Wasmund………….Macbeth
Adam Welsh………………Murderer 2 / Caithness / Norwegian Soldier
Maureen Yasko…………..Lady Macbeth

Crew:
Beth Wolf……………Director
Sarah Franzel……….Assistant Director
Matt Singleton………Violence Designer
Vivian Knouse……….Props Designer
Beth Laske-Miller….Costume Designer