Review: 'The Tempest' by Shakesperience Productions, Inc.

Waterbury, CT - Shakesperience Productions, Inc. will be presenting a magical production of William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ on Saturday at Hollow Park in Woodbury at approximately 7:30pm. I was allowed to attend a preview performance of the play at the Shakesperience space on Bank Street in Waterbury; immediately following the impressively professional performance, the two-level set was dismantled so that it could be moved to the park in preparation for this weekend’s performance under the stars.

Director Emily Mattina writes in her program note that the comedy/romance opens in the midst of a summer storm upon the shores of an island. She writes, “In the words of Caliban, its former king, ‘the isle is full of noises/Sounds, and sweet aires, that give delight and hurt not.’” The story upon the island “is compressed within rapidly moving TIME, one of Shakespeare’s favorite words.” The preview fit neatly within 90 minutes (with a music-filled intermission) but the minutes are filled with sweet sounds and delightful views.

The director goes on to describe the work that “rages at breakneck speed following the backstory: a father loses his son and finds him; a girl finds love and a father loses his daughter. Trinculo, our jester, plays with Stephano to entrap (in a game) Caliban, as he envisions regaining his dukedom (or perhaps only freedom.)” Honestly, the Shakespeare-phobic can know that and enjoy the production; the half-page synopsis graciously included in the program fills in the blanks.

Ms. Mattina directs her former professor Dr. David Richman in the role of Prospero. Dr. Richman gave a memorable performance as King Lear, so I knew that this accomplished Shakespearean actor would be superb as the magical protagonist of ‘The Tempest,’ believed to be the last play that the Bard wrote alone. The actor delivers his soliloquies with polished conviction; there is subtle assistance by the other actors to accommodate his blindness that worked very well.

“Art isn’t easy” and tackling Shakespeare is a challenge for any actor. The young Shakesperience actors make it all look very easy. Rising to the challenge of matching Dr. Richman’s performance is Carolyn Becker in the role of Prospero’s daughter Miranda. Her delivery of the Bard’s words was heartfelt and beautiful. Joshua Salvador was convincing as the “wild” human Caliban; with minimal accoutrements, he embodied the “monster” role.

Choreographer Matt Johnson added comedic touches in the role of the jester Trinculo and Matt Stein played well the role of the drunken butler Stephano. Pat Donahue played the regal Alonso, king of Naples, and Bryan Baker took on well the role of the power-hungry Antonio, the duke of Milan. Kevin Terwin fell immediately in love with Miranda in the role of young Ferdinand. Nathaniel Higgins appeared in the role of King Alonso’s brother Sebastian and Teresa Moran took on the male role of the old honest lord Gonzalo with aplomb.

The part of Ariel was covered by three young sprites. Laura Herscovici was dressed in warm colors as the Ariel of earth/fire, Kathleen Green was decked out in light blue as the Ariel of air/water and rising third grade student Viola “Lucy” Lapham was the Ariel of the four elements. The youngest actress was a bit of a scene stealer with stage presence beyond her years. Her best line? “Awake!” There will be a group of young actors joining the cast onstage for two of the musical numbers; they have been working with the youth chorus director Claudia Gage in a camp setting in preparation for the performance.

The Shakesperience version of the play features original music designed by Emily Mattina, Peter Mulholland, Jacob Green and Nate Higgins. The musical bits were wonderfully performed and added so much to the production; Christian “CJ” Janis as the Boatswain accompanied the cast on guitar (and drum at one point) and provided underscoring as needed; he also performed on mandolin during the intermission. I appreciated both the modern song led by Caliban and the more lyrical piece for the masque.

Costumes designed by Julie Leavitt were beautifully Elizabethan and the sandcastle scenery designed by Jeffrey Lapham looked and functioned very well in its slightly compressed version. I can’t wait to see the textiles in the perfect shade of mint green in all their splendor under the stars in the Woodbury park. Lighting and props designer Nate Higgins added many books piled about the set like seashells and the magical crooked staff for Prospero to hold. Production stage manager is Peter Mulholland, with assistance by Ben Nolet and Brianna Stankiewicz.

“We are such stuff. As dreams are made on, and our little life. Is rounded with a sleep.”

I urge area theatre lovers to take a picnic to the show and enjoy the music, the island, and Shakespeare's classic tale of love, magic, and redemption on Saturday. Head there early, as I will, to secure a place for your lawn chair or blanket.

Shakespeare in Hollow Park

July 22, 7:30pm (subject to change)
Hollow Park, Woodbury, CT
FREE (Suggested Donation $20)

Sponsored, in part, by:
O&G Industries, Inc.
Ion Bank Foundation
Webster Investments
and the Town of Woodbury

If you can't make it this weekend, put on of the four Guilford performances on your calendar.

Shakespeare on the Shoreline
August 2 - 6, 7:30pm
Town Green,
Guilford, CT
FREE (Suggested Donation $20)

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and posts reviews of well over 100 reviews each year. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch site(s) closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417