|
The Tempest
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Alison C. Vesely, SSDC
Produced by First Folio Shakespeare Festival
At Mayslake Peabody Estate
31st St. & Rt. 83
Oak Brook, IL
Call 630-986-8067, tickets $25
Wednesdays through Sundays at 8:15 PM
Running time is 3 hours, 45 minutes with intermission
Through July 30, 2006
The Tempest blows smooth winds as productions soars
First Folio Shakespeare Festival once again mounts a worthy outdoor production of Shakespeare’s popular The Tempest. This charming show features a nice blend of veteran classical actors with talented youngsters resulting in an energetic, stylish production filled with The Bard’s marvelous language, quirky characters and rich humor. The Tempest is a fine tutorial into Shakespeare that young teens will find alluring. 
Led by Aaron H. Alpern as Prospero, one of The Bard’s most contradictory protagonists, The Tempest is a morality tale of justice, forgiveness, the use and abuse of power and the overwhelming influence of love.
SYNOPSIS: (From the press notes)
“Prospero (Aaron H. Alpern), the rightful Duke of Milan, has been living on a primitive island with his fifteen-year-old daughter Miranda (Elana Ernst) for the past twelve years. He was abandoned on this isle after his dukedom was usurped by his own brother, Antonio (Michael F. Goldberg), with the support of Alonso (David Perkovich), the King of Naples. However, as they sail back from the wedding of the King’s daughter in Tunis, Antonio and Alonso come within range of Prospero’s magic.
With the help of Ariel (Gerson Dacanay), the magical spirit of the island, Prospero summons a tempest which shipwrecks not only his enemies, but also the good counselor Gonzago (Aaron Hunt) (who aided Prospero twelve years ago), the King’s brother Sebastian (Christopher Prentice), and the King’s son Ferdinand (Matthew Pierce). Prospero’s plan to have Ferdinand and Miranda fall in love succeeds, but Prospero purposefully puts roadblocks in the way of their love, lest Ferdinand feel he has won Miranda’s love too easily.
Meanwhile, believing that Ferdinand is dead, Antonio leads Sebastian into a plot to kill his brother Alonso, and usurp the king’s throne, much as Antonio usurped the dukedom.
On another part of the island, two drunken servants, Stephano (Ronald Keaton) and Trinculo (Robert Allen Smith), have met the island’s other inhabitant, the brutish Caliban (Phil Timberlake), son of the witch Sycrorax. Rebelling against Prospero’s treatment of him (which is the result of Caliban’s attempt to ravish Miranda), Caliban conspires with the drunken duo to kill Prospero and regain control of the island.
Under the clever manipulation of Prospero and Ariel, the various members of the court wend their way through the labyrinthine paths of the island and of their own hearts on their way to redemption and forgiveness.”
Source: Chicagoplays program &
First Folio press notes
While the cast was uniformly outstanding, sporting excellent articulation and enunciation of Shakespeare’s vividly lyrical language, several terrific performances need be noted. Phil Timberlake’s Caliban, in full reptilian costume, Gerson Dacanay’s Ariel floated lightly with amazingly charming manners. Matthew Pierce’s Ferdinand and Elana Ernst’s Miranda exuded young love while Christopher Prentice’s Sebastian plots intrigue.
Ronald Keaton’s Stephano and Robert Allan Smith’s Trinculo steal several scenes as the drunkin servants. Aaron Hunt’s Gonzalo and David Perkovich’s Alonso and Nathan Petts’ Bosun each contributed worthy performances.
The Tempest ultimately rests on Aaron H. Alpern’s Prospero. Alpern delivers the complex, somewhat contradictory Prospero with deft aplomb. He traverses the wrenching motivations of revenge, yet he heeds the influence of love and redemption that leads to his forgiveness toward those who plotted against him. Alpern has a marvelous command of the stage and his character. Add terrific comic worth from Phil Timberlake, Ronald Keaton and Robert Allan Smith and The Tempest has enough funny moments to engage us. Gerson Dacany’s swiftly enchanting Ariel was wonderful to witness.
First Folio, under the tight pacing from director Alison C. Vesely, has mounted a sweet, charming and immensely entertaining version of The Tempest. It is easily understandable, funny and enticing. This is a family-friendly show.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2006
|
