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H-Town Rock
Rock Talk, Vol. IX
The theater tradition is rich with superstition and one of the oldest revolves around Shakespeare's "Scottish Play."
Legend has it that to utter the name of one of Shakespeare's grizzliest works is to bring bad luck upon the cast, crew and theater company. The only time the name "Macbeth" should be spoken is when it is used during the play, either in rehearsals or actual performances.
Some in the theater industry believe the play itself brings bad luck, no matter what precautions you take with the M-word. Houstonist was skeptical about this tradition until, as a cub reporter in an Oklahoma suburb, we were assigned to write about the town's Shakespeare in the Park production of The Scottish Play.
No one we interviewed — not the actors, the directors, nor the theater troupe's organizers — would utter the name of the play. And then, just a few days before the first performance of the season, their wooden stage and amphitheater caught fire and burned to ground. A year after it was rebuilt it burned down again!
Houstonist is not sure if singing the lead's name has the same kind of effect, but just to be safe, take care if you attend Giuseppe Verdi’s operatic version of the play at Opera in the Heights. Do not utter the lead character's name. Leave that to the actors. We do not want anything bad to happen to one of Houston's most acclaimed theater venues. The play runs January 29-31 and February 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. at Lambert Hall, 17th and Heights Blvd.
Opera in the Heights' website says the performance "offers one of the most exciting first acts in all of opera." In addition, OH! is offering a few unique opportunities to experience the death-and-revenge-heavy performance in a more accessible way.
On Wednesday night "operaphile" Ann Thompson will give a 2-hour multimedia talk regarding the themes of the play. Cost for this event is $5. If 2 hours is too long, she will also give a free 30-minute presentation Thursday night.
Tickets for the full performance are $35-$45, with discounts for seniors and students. Special one-hour abridged performances will take place Monday, Feb. 2 and Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 10:30 a.m. for an admission of only $5. See the OH! website for full details on the events listed above.
Tonight, however, Boeing has underwritten a special event for a price that can't be beat. OH! is opening their final dress rehearsal to the public, starting at 7 p.m. Students can get in for $1, everyone else for $5. Photographers are free.
OH! Macbeth Dress Rehearsal
Admission: $1 students, $5 others
Date and Time: 7 p.m. tonight
Location: Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd, 77008
Photo: Flickr user laanba
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