Preparing for War

At the end of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” the murderous hero realizes how bitterly the fates misled him when they said he had nothing to fear until the seeming impossibility of “Birnam Wood [coming] to Dunsinane.”

Now he discovers that the invading English soldiers have cut branches of Birnam Wood to hide their numbers as they advance upon his army.

Behind the scenes at rehearsals of Opera Pacific’s upcoming production of Verdi’s “Macbeth” it also takes an army--of stage craft workers--to ensure that Birnam Wood begins to move.

“Macbeth,” will be presented next week at the Performing Arts Center. In preparation, a host of professionals--costumers, prop and set makers--have been busy for months making sure that all Verdian and Shakespearean illusions will look as real as possible when the curtain goes up on the Scottish tragedy.

Helmets have been built and painted and costumes sewn, ironed and neatly hung, even “bloodied” where appropriate.

It’s all happening in Opera Pacific’s new 20,000-square-foot facility at 600 W. Warner Ave., Santa Ana, home to the county’s only opera troupe since August.

The company’s entire operations are housed there, including administrative offices, two rehearsal spaces (one the size of the Performing Arts Center main stage), storage space and shops for costumes and props.

Both casts of alternating principal singers can rehearse at the same time in adjacent rooms, and costumers can make quick adjustments without having to cross city lines as they had previously when the company leased space in three locations in Irvine and Costa Mesa.

On opening night, singers, musicians, conductor John DeMain and stage director Colin Graham will hear the audience’s applause. But the behind-the-scenes army of unsung heroes will simply be satisfied knowing it’s a job well done.

* Opera Pacific presents Verdi’s “Macbeth,” Tuesday and Thursday through Jan. 21 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Performances at 7:30 p.m. except Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. $29 to $107. (714) 556-2787.

Chris Pasles can be reached at (714) 966-5602 or by e-mail at

chris.pasles@latimes.com.