First Review!

I'm pleased:

[NEW REVIEW] Director Brian Allard soaks the audience in the bloody witches' brew of Macbeth's claustrophobic remorse-world at the Shoebox Theatre and holds it under to dodge sword swipes, fake blood and delicious cookies served gratis from wenches at banquet scenes. Even a back-row seat in the small theater puts you nearly onstage in the gore of swashbuckling action. You feel the iambic anguish of the characters up-front-and-personal in this well-choreographed rendition of the classic tragedy. Shakespeare's murdering Scotsman portrayed by cherubic Paul Angelo melts and hardens before Lady Macbeth's (Lara Flynn Boyle look-alike Allison Anderson) naked (well, negligee-clad) ambition. WILLIAM CRAWFORD. Northwest Classical Theatre Company at the Shoebox Theater, 2110 SE 10th Ave., 262-5503. 7 pm Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 pm Sundays. Closes June 3. $12-$18.