Photo Flash: Steppenwolf's The Tempest

In Shakespeare's final work, Prospero is exiled to an enchanted island where he harnesses the powers of magic and masters the spirits that dwell there. His desire for revenge drives him to conjure a mighty storm, trapping his enemies on the island. In our first-ever Shakespeare production, Steppenwolf ensemble member Tina Landau re-imagines this magical tale of art, freedom and the transformative power of forgiveness.

Ensemble member Tina Landau most recently directed Steppenwolf's 2008 production of Superior Donuts by ensemble member Tracy Letts. Other Steppenwolf directing credits include The Diary of Anne Frank, Cherry Orchard, The Time of Your Life (also Seattle Rep, A.C.T.), Theatrical Essays, Maria Arndt, The Ballad of Little Jo, The Berlin Circle, Time to Burn, and her own play, Space (also NY's Public Theater, Mark Taper Forum).

The design team for The Tempest includes: Takeshi Kata (sets), James Schuette (costumes), Jane Cox (lights), Josh Schmidt (original music and sound), Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi (aerial choreographer) and Rob Clare (text and verse consultant). Malcolm Ewen is the Stage Manager and Christine D. Freeburg is the Assistant Stage Manager.

Featuring: ensemble members Alana Arenas (Miranda), K. Todd Freeman (Caliban), Frank Galati (Prospero), Jon Michael Hill (Ariel), Tim Hopper (Trinculo), James Vincent Meredith (Antonio), Yasen Peyankov (Stephano), Lois Smith (Gonzalo: March 26- May 10) and Alan Wilder (Sebastian) with Eric James Casady (Ensemble), Miles Fletcher (Ensemble), Stephen Louis Grush (Ferdinand), Mike Nussbaum (Gonzalo: May 12 - 31), Emma Rosenthal (Ensemble) and Craig Spidle (Alonso).

Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

Previews: March 26 - April 4, 2009
Opening: Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
Regular Run: April 7 - May 31, 2009

Curtain Times: Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m.

(Sunday eve. performances through May 3 only)

Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday matinees on May 6, 13, 20 & 27 at 2:00 p.m.

Ticket prices: Previews: $20-$48

Regular Run: $20-$70

Twenty $20 tickets are available at Audience Services beginning at 11:00 a.m. on the day of each performance (1:00 p.m. for Sunday performances). Half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show. Student discounts available.

Audience Services: 1650 N. Halsted, 312-335-1650

Online ticketing available at www.steppenwolf.org

The Tempest Wine Tasting Night: Enjoy wine and food pairings from Vinci Restaurant while our DJ spins tunes in our newly-renovated lobby: Wednesday, April 15 at 6:00 p.m. Tasting and performance cost $60 per person. For tickets and additional information, contact Audience Services.

The Tempest MaTEENée performance for high school students will be held on Saturday, May 16 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets cost $15 and include: a ticket to the performance, lunch and a post-show discussion with actors featured in the production - hosted by Steppenwolf's Young Adults Council.

Free post-show discussions, sponsored by AT&T, are offered after every performance.

Steppenwolf is located near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair accessible. Street and lot parking are available. Assistive listening devices are available for every performance.

Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, Steppenwolf Theatre Company's mission is to advance the vitality and diversity of American theater by nurturing artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships and contributing new works to the national canon. The company, formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, is dedicated to perpetuating an ethic of mutual respect and the development of artists through on-going group work. Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned company of 42 artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting, filmmaking and textual adaptation. For additional information, visit www.steppenwolf.org.

Photos by Michael Brosilow