Idle Muse Theatre Company presents a World Premiere adaptation of THE TEMPEST.
This Shakespearean tale is truly a tempest. A squall brings down the King’s ship. The survivors become separated on an enchanted island. Each person faces turmoil from their own desires and each other. Every conflict is exacerbated by mischievous spirits. And the source for a lot of the chaos is a vengeful wizard.
Adapter and Director Tristan Brandon ambitiously creates a full-length theatrical work of THE TEMPEST. The storm is already a brewin’ before the show even starts! L.J. Luthringer (sound) and Laura J. Wiley (lights) whip up an ominous hurricane. Brandon starts the show like a thunderbolt. Sailors are trying to stay upright and nymphs are elegantly encircling them. His theatre-in-the-round set-up ensures everyone has a front or second row seat to this pending shipwreck.
Brandon cleverly casts the Ariel sprite as six actors (Mara Kovacevic, Gary Henderson, Connar Brown, Emely Cuestas, Jacque Bischoff, Emily Pfriem). They captivate with their nimble movements, musical interludes and playful exchanges. Their ongoing presence, center stage or in the wings, is more like an avalanche than a sprinkling of pixie dust. Magic is in the air, on the ground, and all around!
Brandon also masterfully cast Elizabeth MacDougald (Prospero) in a role she was born to play. MacDougald crushes it as angry estranged nobleman, doting controlling father and boundary-pushing sorcerer. She delivers her multiple soliloquies with thoughtful deliberation. And her brooding is nicely balanced with the energetic Ariels and a lovestruck daughter (played by Caty Gordon). Gordon and Boomer Lusink (Ferdinand) delight as two quickly smitten strangers. They hilariously tease out the lusty elements of Shakespeare’s verse. Another pairing, Eric Duhon (Sebastian) and Orion Lay-Sleeper, (Antonio) also find the comedic moments as they plot an assassination.
Brandon’s storytelling is full of personalities. And his 16-member ensemble do a terrific job of pandemonium entertainment. Since not everyone is as deft in the Shakespearean prose or verse, some of the exchanges feel uneven and don’t have the desired impact. And because the first twenty minutes of the show are so rapid and compelling, the last twenty minutes, by contrast, seem to lose steam and stroll to the conclusion. Still, I enjoyed THE TEMPEST, especially for its infusion of spirits!
Running Time: Two hours and twenty-five minutes includes an intermission
At The Edge Off-Broadway Theatre, 1133 W. Catalpa
Written by William Shakespeare
Adapted and Directed by Tristan Brandon
Performances are:
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 3pm
Thru October 20
For more information or tickets
Photography by Steven Townshend/Distant Era
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