‘Tempest’ being performed on Sweet Brier Plaza Stage
LINDSAY — The twelfth annual Shakespeare in the Plaza summer play is “The Tempest,” presented by the Lindsay Community Theater. Show dates are Aug. 10, 12, 17 and 19 at the Sweet Brier Plaza stage in Downtown Lindsay. Shows start at dusk, about 8 p.m., and admission is free.
The play centers around the magician, Prospero (Chris Shepard), rightful Duke of Milan, and his daughter, Miranda (Kallysta Tyler), who have been stranded for 12 years on an island after Prospero’s envious brother Antonio (Thomas Crow), aided by Alonso (Connor Neilson), the King of Naples, deposed him and set him adrift with the 3-year-old Miranda. Gonzalo (Jim Kliegl), Alonso’s counselor, had secretly supplied their boat with some food, fresh water, and Prospero’s magic books.
On the island, Prospero is served by a spirit, Ariel (Alex Summers), whom Prospero had rescued from a tree in which he had been trapped by the cruel witch, Sycorax. Sycorax’s son, Caliban (Jesse Dugan), a deformed monster and the only non-spiritual inhabitant before the arrival of Prospero, was initially adopted and raised by him, teaching him their language. When Caliban turns his attention to the now grown Miranda, Prospero imprisons him in a cave and only releases him to do menial tasks.
Prospero, having divined that his brother Antonio and King Alonzo are on a passing ship manned by the Master (Steve Boles) and the Boatswain (Aurora Summers), orders Ariel to raise a tempest that causes the passengers to believe they are shipwrecked and marooned. Also on the ship are Alonso’s brother, Sebastian (TJ Hurt) and son, Ferdinand (Aaron Nucum). Prospero contrives to separate the shipwreck survivors into several groups by his spells, and so Alonso and Ferdinand are separated, each believing the other to be dead.
Three plots then alternate through the play. In one, Caliban falls in with two drunken shipwrecked sailors Stephano (Jim Keeton) and Trinculo (Connor Craven). Believing Stephano to be a “brave god” who “bears celestial liquor,” Caliban conspires with him to kill Prospero and take over the island. In another, Prospero works to encourage a romantic relationship between Ferdinand and Miranda; the two fall immediately in love. In the third, Antonio and Sebastian conspire to kill Alonso and Gonzalo so that Sebastian can become King. Ariel thwarts them, at Prospero’s command.
Prospero tests Ferdinand’s devotion, and then betroths a willing Miranda to him. He then asks Ariel to bring some other spirits to entertain the young couple. These spirits, Iris (Slaone Vanciel), Ceres (Alli Smith), and Juno (Charity Jackson), bless the young couple, followed by dancing spirits (Sarah Summers, Lizzy Summers, and Sophie Craven). Prospero then sets a trap for Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano. They are chased offstage by spirits (Eric Tyler and Jack Craven) in the shape of hounds.
Prospero, all his enemies in his power, discovers that Ariel would pity them if he were “human” and decides to forgive the people who tried to kill him. In the conclusion, all the main characters are brought together before Prospero, who forgives Alonso, Antonio, Sebastian, Stephano, and Trinculo. After discharging all his duties, Ariel will finally be free. Prospero also pardons Caliban, who is again left in possession of the island. In his epilogue, Prospero invites the audience to set him free from the island by their applause.