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Page 6 Greenshoro. N.C Theatre Preview: Macbeth opening tonight Charlie McAlpirt Staff Writer heatre professor Jack Zerbe decided to direct Macbeth as an examination of the current political climate in the Unites States. "We chose this play because we knew we were going to be immedi ately following an election season," said Zerbe. "It's not an attempt to equate American democracy with the political monarchy of the play. It's an examina tion of the psychology of ambitious rulers." Macbeth tells the story of a man who murders the ruler of Scotland to secure the kingship for himself. He soon finds that foul deeds do not stand alone Capt. Kirk: Bringin' the funk on hot new album Has Been Aaron Varnum Captain's Log Star date 2004: It seems that our captain has not released a formal album since his 1968 excursion The Transformed Man. But with the brand-new release of Has Been, William Shatner is back. He and producer Ben Folds have released a very energetic, bizarre, yet sincere album. Shatner wrote all but two songs on Has Been and put his heart into all of them. Arranged by Ben Folds, Shatner's poetry is surprisingly good. He is aware of the laughing behind his back and caters to his critics by never taking himself too seriously throughout Has Been. Shatner has always sounded a little ridiculous in his music, and this album is no different from The Transformed Man. The cover of Pulp's "Common People" is a hilarious StS"t6K"S jewelry qlfbs %\ From, shawls to scarves, we've got everything f % * you. need -for Fall! 330 Tflte St ±O-£>:3£> 3.3>G>-5JH'~3ggJ) and flurries into a string of evil actions to maintain his power. Macbeth, blinded by the false sense of security given to him by the Fates in ELIZABETH MINEHART/SPECIAL TO THE GUILFORDIAN From the Macbeth dress rehearsal Siatt Writer FEATURES the play's beginning, com pletely loses his head and descends into brutal pat terns of self-preservation until his final breath. "It talks about leader ship and the ways in which people assume leadership," said senior Paul Masters, who plays the role of Duncan. The two lead roles, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, are played by senior Brandon Sasnett and senior Heidi Mclver. Hoping to show the col lege how relevant Shakespeare can be, Zerbe and his team have modernized the feel of the play so the audience will connect with the themes. "People just don't relate it to their own lives, so you really have to inhabit the opener that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Joe Jackson, singer of "Is She Really Going out with Him," makes an appearance on this song and throughout the rest of the album. Although Jackson's singing on "Common People" is limited to the bridge, it greatly enhances the delivery of Shatner by off-setting his reciting style of singing and adds melody to the song. "That's Me Trying" is a song penned by Ben Folds and Nick Hornby, the writer of High Fidelity, and is an account of a deadbeat father half-heartedly trying to get back up with his daughter and make amends for all the times he wasn't there for her. Ben Folds and Aimee Mann ('Till Tuesday") both sing the chorus and make for a beautiful song. Shatner's vocals sound heartfelt like the bumbling father who doesn't really know his daughter but would like to. The real gem of the album is "Together," an almost stream-of-consciousness poem by Shatner over an amazing beat programmed by Lemon Jelly. The song ® A drSP I "1 ! '• 3 J ® ' I L^SM 1 wm I©*l ™I, IN 9M^H M Ul l 1 '-cji ELIZABETH MINEHART/SPECIAL TO THE GUILFORDIAN From the Macbeth dress rehearsal text and make it your own," Masters said. Zerbe is suited to the challenge as a 14-year vet- the goofiness and runs with it, turning it into a screw you to his naysayers, the people who haven't accom plished anything but still have the audacity to not give the respect Shatner is due. Former Black Flag lead singer Henry Rollins stops by and joins Shatner to recite all the things that annoy them (what else would Rollins do) in the hilarious song "I Can't Get Behind That." The album is almost worth buying just to hear Shatner say "I can't get behind a fat ass!" The abstract guitar playing in the background is done by King Crimson guitarist Adrian Belew and helps the song keep the nervous mayhem that the singers creat ed. The real shock of Has Been is the Shatner/Brad Paisley collaboration on the final and almost auto- is greatly accentuated by Shatner*s spiritual and loving lyrics dedicated to his wife Elizabeth. The title track sounds like the theme of a cheesy Spaghetti western. Shatner takes biographical song "Real." It sounds like this song is Shatner's way of getting everything off his chest before he can't anymore. He wants to explain to his fans that he's just a regular person who has more to him than what is seen on TV or in the movies. All in all, Has Been is a great album for the adventur ous music fan and is a serious take on a not-so-serious person. Shatner and Folds have made a really good album that deserves a listen. Nov. 12, 2004 Www, euilfordian .com eran of a Shakespearean festival on the West Coast. He has replaced ruffs and pumpkin breaches, kilts and Actor & singer William Shatner
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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