THE TEMPEST, With Sam Waterston, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Francesca Carpanini and More, Opens Tonight in the Park

The Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park production of The Tempest officially opens tonight, June 16, and runs through Sunday, July 5, 2015.

In The Tempest, Shakespeare's classic about young love, old enemies, and the eternal magic of storytelling, Prospero, exiled to a fantastical island, unleashes a churning storm to shipwreck the traitor brother who stole his throne and settle the score once and for all. But bitter revenge is upended by newfound love in this sublime masterpiece that proves we are all "such stuff as dreams are made on."

Directed by Michael Greif, the complete cast of The Tempest features Louis Cancelmi (Caliban); Francesca Carpanini (Miranda); Nicholas Christopher (Boatswain, Spirit); Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Trinculo); Olga Karmansky (Iris); Tamika Lawrence (Ceres); Danny Mastrogiorgio (Stephano); Charles Parnell (Alonso); Chris Perfetti (Ariel); Rodney Richardson (Ferdinand); Laura Shoop (Juno); Cotter Smith (Antonio); Sam Waterston (Prospero); and Bernard White (Gonzalo). The non-equity ensemble includes Jordan Barrow, Chloe Fox, Thomas Gibbons, Sunny Hitt, Brandon Kalm, Rico Lebron, and Matthew Oaks.

THE TEMPEST features scenic design by Riccardo Hernandez, costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design byDavid Lander, sound design by Acme Sound Partners, soundscape by Matt Tierney, original music by Michael Friedman, and choreography by Denis Jones.

Since 1962, over five million people have enjoyed more than 150 free productions of Shakespeare and other classical works and musicals at the Delacorte Theater. Conceived by founder Joe Papp as a way to make great theater accessible to all, The Public's Free Shakespeare in the Park continues to be the bedrock of the Company's mission to increase access and engage the community.

Tickets to The Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park are distributed, two per person, at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park on the day of the show. The Public Theater will again offer free tickets through our Virtual Ticketing lottery on the day of the show at www.publictheater.org. The Delacorte Theater in Central Park is accessible by entering at 81st Street and Central Park West or at 79th Street and Fifth Avenue.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus