THE TEMPEST Opens at New American Shakespeare Tavern Tonight

The Atlanta Shakespeare Company at The New American Shakespeare Tavern presents The Tempest, directed by Laura Cole, tonight, January 4-27, 2013.

Shipwrecked after a violent storm, little do the survivors know that they have landed on an enchanted isle controlled by Prospero, the magician and full of sprites and other extraordinary creatures. Prospero's magic can do many things, but will it mend a family feud and set Ariel and Caliban free? Come and see what fantastical events will be.

Join the cast and crew members for a lively Question and Answer session on Sunday Jan 13 after the show.

Creative Team: Assistant Director Chris Rushing; "Juno's Wedding Blessing" by Bo Ketchin, adapted and arranged by Rivka Levin; Dance Choreography by Kati Grace Morton; Text coach Brent Griffin; Original Music by JC Long; "E Sette Galere" by Donnisulana; Harpy Art by Kris Pilcher.

Cast:

Prospero - Maurice Ralston*

Ariel - J.C. Long*

Miranda - Kati Grace Morton

Caliban - Matt Felten

Antonio, Prospero's brother - Andrew Houchins*

Ferdinand, son to the King of Naples - Chris Rushing

Trinculo, a jester - Daniel Parvis

Stephano, a drunKen Butler - Nicholas Faircloth

Alonso, King of Naples - J. Tony Brown*

Sebastian, his brother - Stuart McDaniel

Gonzalo, an honest old councilor - Doug Kaye*

Francisco - Stephen Hanthorn

Adrian - Clarke Weigle

Boatswain - Stephen Hanthorn

Iris, a spirit - Kirstin Calvert

Ceres, a spirit - Becky Cormier Finch

Juno, a spirit - Rivka Levin*

Master of the Ship - Daniel Parvis

Reapers - Matt Felten, Stephen Hanthorn, Daniel Parvis

Shapes - Chris Rushing, Kati Grace Morton, Kirstin Calvert, Becky Cormier Finch

Mariners - Kati Grace Morton, Kirstin Calvert, Becky Cormier Finch

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

Synopsis (The Pocket Companion to Shakespeare's Plays by J C Trewin): Twelve years before the play begins, Antonio, helped by the King of Naples, Alonso, usurped his brother Prospero's dukedom of Milan and put Prospero and his child Miranda to sea in a rotten boat. They reached a far-off island where Prospero resorted to the books on magic that a loyal lord, Gonzalo, had sent with him. He freed Ariel, an "airy spirit" whom the dead witch, Sycorax, had imprisoned in a cloven pine, and he attempted to educate the witch's son, the deformed Caliban. When Caliban sought to rape Miranda, Prospero made him into a slave.

Prospero tells the story to his daughter just after the raising of a magical storm that has cast upon the island Alonso and Antonio with Alonso's son Ferdinand, his brother Sebastian, and attendant lords. Ariel leads Ferdinand to Prospero's cell; there the youth falls in love with Miranda, and Prospero sets him to the hardest of menial tasks. The King (Act II) believes that Ferdinand is drowned; Antonio and Sebastian plan to murder Alonso, but thanks to the invisible Ariel, the deed is prevented. Stephano and Trinculo, Alonso's butler and jester, are involved drunkenly with Caliban.

Aided by Ariel (Act III) Prospero uses his magic art to baffle the royal party. Agreeing to the betrothal of Miranda and Ferdinand, he summons a masque for them (Act IV). Later (Act V) he decides to abandon his revenge, to forgive his enemies, and break his magic staff. Then he reveals himself, demands back his dukedom, shows Ferdinand at chess with Miranda, sets Ariel free, and speaks a wistful epilogue before sailing home.

Shakespeare has obeyed the "unities" here: the action of The Tempest is on a single day and in the same place.

Performance days & times: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 6:30 PM. 10 AM most Tuesday and Wednesdays.

Seating areas: Main Floor Seats, Box Seats (on floor) and Balcony Seats