Blood of Macbeth

Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre

Zombie Joe has mounted everything from the classic to the absurd.- and their best always borders on the absurd.  This new (old) show is a classic example of the absurd.  The directorial genius of Josh T. Ryan is evident in this replay of ZJU’s 1997 hit which places the Macbeth clan in a mental hospital complete with doctors, mad patients and of course, the melancholy Dane himself on the edge of rationality.

Lady Macbeth was nowhere to be found, which may lead one to ask, “what motivated Macbeth to murder Duncan?”  Well, the amorous void is amply filled by the Captain, (Derek Medina) a helmeted Nazi style wimp who may not have talked old Mac into digging into the king, but he sure wrapped himself all over the newly erected ruler.  You suspect that something wacky this way comes when the three witches are replaced by two doctors, (Shawna Thomas and Jana Wimer), serving medications, giving warnings and making prophesies – (fear none of woman born) which Macbeth interprets literally, giving him license to create havoc and murder at will.

Tracie Cisneros’ vacant look and monotone cadence look suspiciously authentic, as she plays Fleance, clutching a beach ball for security, wearing a helmet for safety and singing “row-row-row your boat” (off key) along with the other patients – actors - characters.  Macduff, behind a square mask that alters the voice into an electronic doll like garble, is made even madder by Jenna Harris in a wild hairdo that looks like a bush growing from her head.  The gravely words are unintelligible, and we seldom know what the character is saying, but nobody seems to care.  Duncan, wearing an incredible Liquid Crown made of hypodermic syringes, comes to a mad existence and even madder end as played with wonderful lunacy by Matthew Sklar, who is still looking for that extra vowel for his last name since our last writing.  Macbeth’s buddy, Banquo is wonderfully devious as played by Ana Rey, but can’t escape the inevitable Shakespeare end typical in his tragedies.

Aaron Brandes as Macbeth, walks off with the performance of the night.  A curly pompadour, a delightfully bitchy demeanor and a rubbery face come together to create a Macbeth like no other you have ever seen.  Brandes is so completely off center, he could summon an army of men in white coats with straight jackets in a heartbeat.  He does to this performance what Rainey K. Taylor did to Othello, which was a true masterpiece of avant-garde theatre, taking his character from a naďve nerd to a megalomaniac with total credibility.  Director Josh Ryan has a unique feel for timing and capably guides the cast along this nightmarish saga, mixing horror, absurdity and laughs.

The bare floor against a 30’ wall (with blood red paint smeared over it), becomes a castle, a moat, a hospital room; whatever the troupe wants, relying more on imagery and action than stage props.  Producer Zombie Joe has another notch in his long belt of hits.  As usual ZJ hosts the crowd, introduces the show, and probably cleans up the place after the performance.

For an experience not likely to be forgotten, go see “Blood” spill every Fridays through October 22.   Call (818) 202-4120 for reservations.

Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre

4850 Lankershim Blvd

North Hollywood, CA