“Macbeth” at Shakespeare Tavern. 10.30.25

Cast of Shakespeare's Tavern Macbeth, Directed by Amee Vyas

Last night was a memorable date night with my new boo, and we decided to spend it at the theatre — Macbeth at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse. We sat center stage in the balcony, and it was the perfect view. From that vantage point, we could see every flicker of emotion and every shadow cast by the candlelit stage.

Before the show began, I met a few of the volunteers who make evenings like this possible. One was a high school student earning community service hours, and another was an adult who simply volunteered for fun. Both shared that they loved the chance to see live theatre for free — and I loved that their joy and generosity set the tone for the night.

The production featured powerful performances by O’Neil Delanenha as Macbeth, Tyren Duncan as MacDuff, Zuri Petteway as Witch and Doctor, and Tyshawn Gooden as Witch and Rosse, whose presence and intensity deepened the story’s complexity. Each of them brought a fresh, grounded energy that made the centuries-old words feel alive and urgent. Understudy Alejandro Ruiz also took the stage that night.

Although I came in unfamiliar with the story of Macbeth, it was surprisingly enjoyable to work my way through the old English — like learning a language through rhythm, gesture, and tone. The story’s ambition, love, and guilt unfolded in a way that felt both foreign and familiar.

One line in particular has stayed with me:

“Security is mortal’s cheapest enemy.”

At first, I wasn’t sure what it meant, but the more I thought about it, the more it resonated. To me, it suggests that when we become too confident, we let our guard down — and that misplaced sense of safety can make us vulnerable. Spoken by Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft, in Macbeth (Act 3, Scene 5). She’s chastising the witches for meddling with Macbeth without her, and she explains that their manipulation will ultimately destroy him because it will make him feel too secure. We often think of security as comfort or success, but Shakespeare reminds us that overconfidence can dull awareness and invite downfall. Macbeth’s undoing wasn’t the witches or fate alone — it was his own belief that he was untouchable.

That idea lingered with me long after the curtain closed. It made me think about the delicate balance between confidence and humility, ambition and awareness — both on the stage and in life.

Archival materials from this performance — including the digital program, cast information, and related ephemera — can be found in The Radical Archive Project (T.R.A.P.). You can explore them through the trap Archive Search Tool (click link).