Exiled from his home twelve years hence to an island full of
spirits, Prospero has spent his time raising his young daughter Miranda while
picking up a few magic tricks from spells left behind by a deceased witch. His
incantations have allowed him to control the island spirits led by Ariel, whom
he saved from a spell by the witch. When Prospero divines that a ship carrying
his brother who enslaved him is sailing nearby, he has Ariel call up a mighty
tempest – a storm that destroys the ships and scatters the survivors around the
island so that Prospero can manipulate them into his grand scheme.
Such is the fantasy setting for Shakespeare’s last play
written by himself, and McNary High School in Keizer, Oregon uses this fact for
their own original opening scene written by Director Dan Hays wherein
William Shakespeare (Michael Bradshaw) is visited by fellow playwright
Ben Jonson (Kory Klopp). Their discussion turns to Shakespeare’s final
play, and the Bard begins telling Jonson about The Tempest, taking on
the role of Prospero and forcing a reluctant Jonson into the role of Prosper’s
nemesis King Alonso, thereby putting the play in motion. And it’s a dramatic
opening, with Ariel (Sarah Currin) casting a storm upon the doomed ship.
With the clearing of the storm, the curtain rises on Kory
Klopp and Terry Rohse’s striking island set resembling white
limestone that does indeed appear to be the sort of place that might be
enchanted. Especially when some of the fairies poke their heads out of the
walls of the stone (thanks to parts of the walls being painted sheets). These
fairies are an ever-present presence on the island, enhancing the feel of the
fantasy tremendously as they curiously watch, tease, groom, and taunt the
humans who, except for Prospero, can’t see the sprites. But they can certainly
sense their presence.
Michael Bradshaw makes for an excellent Prospero, a
man with his heart often in the right place, but with a quick temper when
crossed who is slightly crazed by power. Living with only his daughter,
hundreds of fairies, and a monstrous son left by the deceased witch probably
didn’t help his sanity. Angela Matthews plays Miranda, an innocent young
woman who, after knowing only her father’s company since she was three years
old, quickly becomes entranced by the new people coming to the island,
resulting in her happy cry, “O brave new world that has such people in’t!”
Miranda and young Ferdinand (Joey Holmes), King Alonso’s gentle and
unassuming son, play off each other well in a playful romance.
 Most of the other mortal-inspired comedy comes from the two
shipwrecked crewmates who are very fond of drink – Trinculo (Darren Bien)
and Stephanie (usually Stephano) played by Jessica Wick. Both have a
great feel for the humor as they become embroiled in a plot with the witch’s
son Caliban (David Watson as the boorish monster with a chip on his
shoulder) to take over the island. Jessica Wick is a riot as Caliban kowtows to
her thinking she is a goddess, kissing her feet. And even funnier when she eventually
gets dragged off the stage by an unseen fairy, an expression of sullenness and
distant confusion on her face having lost her momentary goddess-hood. Other
fine performances come from Kory Klopp as Alonso, Cresslyn Suthard
as Antonia, Amy Marshall as Sebastiani, and Brian Becktel as
Gonzalo.
But the essence of this production lies in the work of
the mischievous fairies who saturate the island in the air, in the rocks, and
an especially amusing thing under the earth with orange hands and arms (the only
part of the fairy we ever see coming out of the ground). These otherworldly
spirits are in constant motion, always eager to observe, play with, marvel
over, or heckle the humans in their midst. They are all emotionally connected
to and led by Ariel, with Sarah Currin giving a marvelous performance as
the servant fairy who desperately wants her freedom but who has developed a
love for her master as well. Her magical talents control the play, mesmerizing
humans with her singing and flute playing, and commanding the elements with the
movement of her hands that have the power to raise a tempest and, at
intermission, turn off the stage lights.
Performs April 26 - May 5, 2007.
Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre
~ Cast ~
William Shakespeare/Prospero: Michael Bradshaw
Ben Jonson/King Alonso: Kory Klopp
Ship's Master/Spirit: Grant Abbott
Boatswain/Spirit: Chris Buchwalter
Antonia: Cresslyn Suthard
Gonzalo: Brian Becktel
Sebastiani: Amy Marshall
Miranda: Angela Matthews
Ariel: Sarah Currin
Caliban: David Watson
Ferdinand: Joey Holmes
Adrian: Tanner Sarsfield
Francisco: Jared Breedlove
 Trinculo: Darren Bien
Stephanie: Jessica Wick
Iris/Spirit: Vanessa Fenton
Ceres/Spirit: Alyce Alt
Juno/Spirit: Ariel Tolman
Spirits:
Brandan Chinburg
Chris Danner
Veronica Gevelt
Carrie Golledge
Krista Henderson
Dylan Juran
Maria Kelly
Steven Kirby
Kyle Lawhorn
Ayla Moretti
Kristal Nelson
Breanne Oja
Stacie Pippert
Mandy Scott
Rafaella Shaver
Christian Thomas
Director: Dan Hays
Stage Managers: Erin Detrant and Sam Dooley
Technical Director: Terry Rohse
Sound Design: Dan Hays
Lighting Design: Terry Rohse
Choreographer: Billie Crane
Spirit Movement and Assistant Choreographer: Kayla Bergren
Set Design: Kory Klopp and Terry Rohse
Costumes: Helen's Pacific Costumes, City Dance Theatre
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