Macbeth at The Artistic Home

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...You listen before you look in this savage swamp world, which echoes of scraping knives and hushed cymbals. And the cast has a knack for keeping you there, notably Frank Nall as the vengeful Macduff and Maria Stephens as a subtle, biting Lady Macbeth. As Macbeth, John Mossman doesn’t shy away from the title character’s humor and likability—we root for him as we would a clueless action hero. Until, that is, the first dagger starts to float."

Windy City Times - Recommended

"...The Artistic Home certainly succeeds in its inventive creepiness, particularly with the ever-manipulative weird sisters who crawl and writhe out of the most unexpected places. The rest of the cast is also very game to enhance Westerman's vision, even if it does require actors like Frank Nall as Macduff and John Mossman as Macbeth to engage in some very painful looking fight choreography by David Blixt, or the Malcolm of Julian Hester to show off his considerably toned body in a bathtub scene to symbolically show the power and resources of England when it comes to clean water."

Northwest Indiana Times - Recommended

"...But some of my favorite moments came "in-threes," yes, a reference to the stellar performances of the slithering "weird sisters," those hag-bag witches that torment MacBeth. Skye Shrum, Jill Oliver and Brookelyn Hebert are "out of this world," and in fact, look and act like they really are from the netherworld. Also, one of my stand-out acting favorites, Julian Hester, gives a performance like no other for his three roles, which he easily slides in and out of. Also of ovation achievement is the young, fresh face and talent of actor Derek Herman, who can balance the characterization requirements of playing royal blood son Donalbain to morphing into a common-thug murderer with seamless ease."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...At time some cast members had opening night jitters but on the whole the ensemble roamed the challenging ramp infested set complete with an actual drowning pool most worthy. But the production is truly Macbeth’s play due to the subtle and charismatic turn by John Mossman. In other production’s of Macbeth, often time Lady Macbeth is the most powerful character. Not here. Kudos to The Artistic Home for the chutzpah to mount an ambitious, provocative version of Macbeth. It is an engaging and spooky tragedy worth seeing."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...The Artistic Home’s production of Macbeth surges on the current of the text, providing a strong understanding of character and language. Filled with fine performances, it is worth the time to revisit this classic and be reminded of all its murky depths."

The Fourth Walsh - Somewhat Recommended

"...Westerman’s MACBETH is unique. It could even get young boys interested in Shakespeare. I do recommend reading the director’s notes in the program before the show. In it, Westerman introduces his vision and his futuristic world. Without the tutorial, a person could get confused quickly."