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Tragedy at the Altar
By James Bagnaschi, Harwinton
"Bravo!" to Trinity Arts Series and your successful hosting of Shakespeare & Company's Macbeth at Trinity Episcopal Church in Torrington on Saturday, April 13. Mimi Harden, Managing Director of Trinity Arts Series, organized a wonderful Feast and Follies Medieval Banquet prior to the playing of this Shakespeare tragedy. This was a wonderful 11th century feast fit for and attended by acting king John McDonough. John is known for his audio book work, has performed with Garrison Keillor, and starred in the revival of Captain Kangaroo on the Fox network. John has also been an ambassador to Reading Is Fundamental, visiting dozens of elementary schools for reading aloud programs. There was music and dance and costume of the era, wonderfully performed by the Black Pond Consort and Everyman Guild, with court musician Paul Halley.
The main event, Macbeth, was excellently performed at the position of the altar. I keep thinking of the debates of Jeff Messenger and others on their descriptions of Christian academic minutia in past articles of The Voice and wonder what reactions would be if these religious writers were to attend an event depicting death and tragedy in such a sacred location in the church.
There were sword fights and the killing of Macbeth and others at the position of our altar. There were some interesting discussions of the reenactment of Macbeth in a church afterwards. Reverend Ellen Tillotson explained it well in church on Sunday. "Though Macbeth is a tragic and murderous play, good wins over evil, and it was appropriate even in our church." She's allowing for additional discussion. It certainly brings additional quality forms of art and entertainment to the Torrington area.
I was fortunate enough to attend Rodgers & Hammerstein's Jesus Christ Superstar at the Thomaston Opera House on Sunday, April 14. This play will be performed on the weekends through April. Executive Producer Jeffrey Dunn, Artistic Director Keith Winegar, and Musical Director Paul Peter Butcher and his band "Cave Dwellers" deserve some recognition for the magnificent performance. Though never a fan of Judas, Brian D. Fortin turns in an outstanding performance. Bronwyn Hamill portraying Mary Magdalene sings that beautiful piece, "I Don't Know How to Love Him." It brought back many memories of the ‘70s and tears to my eyes. Brava, Bronwyn. The music is great, the performers, wonderful.
Though not performed in a church, but in the Thomaston Opera House, I am curious of Jeff's opinion of this play as well. It brings the crucifixion of Jesus to the common man; it’s not academic study or philosophy shoved down our throats. It's certainly not my intention to get Jeff or any of the writers of the voice agitated, but does this depiction of the Crucifixion merit discussion by the religious writers in The Voice?
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