- April 18, 2024
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Beau Wade, who plays Lennox, Ross and Donaldbain; J. Walker Fischer, who plays Ross and Lennox; Robert O. Dimsey, who plays Macbeth; and Jim Fellows, who plays Banquo. Photo by Paige Wilson
Sharon Resnikoff rehearses as Lady Macbeth. Photo by Paige Wilson
Robert O. Dimsey rehearses as Macbeth. Photo by Paige Wilson
A circle of flags surrounds Earl Levine, who plays Duncan. Photo by Paige Wilson
City Repertory Theatre Artistic Director John Sbordone watches the dress rehearsal intently. Photo by Paige Wilson
Robert O. Dimsey and Sharon Resnikoff share a passionate kiss on stage as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Photo by Paige Wilson
Robert O. Dimsey, as Macbeth; Jim Fellows, as Banquo; Heather Cribbs, Phillipa Rose and Kendra Lyons, as the witches. Photo by Paige Wilson
Sharon Resnikoff rehearses her role as Lady Macbeth. Photo by Paige Wilson
Sharon Resnikoff and Robert O. Dimsey rehearse an emotional scene as Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. Photo by Paige Wilson
Earl Levine, who plays Duncan; Robert O. Dimsey, who plays Macbeth; Beau Wade, who plays Lennox, Ross and Donaldbain; and Jim Fellows, who plays Banquo. Photo by Paige Wilson
Jim Fellows, as Banquo, and Robert O. Dimsey, as Macbeth, rehearse. Photo by Paige Wilson
Philip Rose, Kendra Lyons and Heather Cribbs rehearse as the witches. Photo by Paige Wilson
The sunset shines through the tent on PCAF's outdoor stage during a "Macbeth" dress rehearsal on Sunday, Feb. 18. Photo by Paige Wilson
Nancy Crouch looks around Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s outdoor stage with an excited expression, envisioning the space’s versatility for live entertainment. As PCAF’s executive director, she said she sees a future of diverse events that will be held on the 4,500-square-foot stage located in Town Center.
For City Repertory Theatre, that future is now.
CRT and PCAF have joined forces for the first-ever production in Flagler County of Shakespeare in the Park. Showcasing one of William Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, four performances of “Macbeth” will ignite the tradition locally.
The feat is a much-needed addition to the county’s performing arts scene, said CRT Artistic Director John Sbordone.
“CRT is all about doing different things in the area,” Sbordone said. “We don’t do shows other theaters do. We believe that we ought to be able to provide Flagler County with great plays that are not necessarily commercial.”
Shakespeare in the Park has been performed worldwide in many large cities. Sharon Resnikoff, who plays Lady Macbeth, said she’s thrilled to help introduce the production locally. A cast of 13 actors and actresses, several of whom play multiple roles, rehearsed four to five times a week for the last eight weeks in preparation for opening night on Thursday, Feb. 22.
“It’s exciting to see that Palm Coast is growing culturally,” Resnikoff said. “I think people are looking for things like this.”
Sbordone said his goal of Shakespeare in the Park is: “once a year, for the kids of the county to have an exposure to this — for the teachers who probably grew up with some of this stuff, for all of those who want to support something different.”
After being involved with theater for virtually all his life, Ormond Beach resident Robert O. Dimsey is gearing up to play Macbeth.
“Learning Shakespeare and working in this environment is very different,” Dimsey said. “But it’s a great challenge. I’m not shying away from it by any stretch of the imagination.”
He emphasized that live theater adds value to the quality of life for everyone “6 months to 106 years old.”
“The more opportunities there are for people to experience that connection, whether it’s live music or it’s stand-up comedy or going to see a play — it’s all great,” Dimsey said.
Sbordone said he plans on directing one of Shakepeare’s comedies next year to continue the tradition.
Crouch said fundraising plans are in the works to match a $500,000 state grant for an arching roof to cover the stage, which was complete in December 2016. She hopes the project will be complete in a couple of years. In the meantime, a white tent covers the stage, creating an intimate theater experience and allowing the actors’ voices to project to each corner.
“I think it’s going to be unbelievable for the development of Town Center, for one thing,” Crouch said of PCAF’s plans for further construction. “It’s not something Flagler County is accustomed to having. They have the Flagler Playhouse, which does wonderful community theater. They have the Flagler Auditorium, which does a lot of interesting performances, too. But this is just another venue opportunity.”
