Orlando Shakespeare Theater to Present THE TEMPEST
By: Tyler Peterson Jan. 15, 2016
The Tempest begins with Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, stranded on a remote and mystical island with his daughter Miranda. Seeking revenge against those who conspired against him, Prospero conjures a powerful storm to shipwreck them and settle the score once and for all. Just as retribution is finally within reach, Miranda falls in love with Ferdinand, son of one of his conspirators, putting her relationship with her father to the ultimate test.
"Shakespeare's The Tempest showcases classic theater at its best," said Tempest Director Anne Hering. "Between the theatrical illusion the production calls for and the thrilling themes of revenge and romance, audience members will be on the edge of their seats until the final scene."
Greg Thornton returns to Orlando Shakes as Prospero, following his performance as Ralph Nickleby in the 2014 production of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. Additional credits include John Ferguson (Off-Broadway), The Conjugality Test (Midtown International Theatre Festival), and The Contrast (Edinburgh Festival).
Also returning to Orlando Shakes for her first full performance role is Gracie Winchester, joining the cast as the softhearted Miranda. Winchester made her debut at Orlando Shakes as Caroline in the Theater's PlayFest reading of I and You. Additional credits include Macbeth (Off-Broadway) and Equus (Maxwell Caulfield and Juliet Mills).
Orlando Shakes newcomer Lisa Wolpe takes on the role of the treacherous Antonia. Wolpe has performed in many cross-gender leading Shakespearean roles including Hamlet, Richard III, and Romeo and Juliet. She has also recently been touring her solo show Shakespeare & the Alchemy of Gender and is the the Artistic Director for the Los Angeles Women's Shakespeare Company.
Additional casting includes Stephen Lima as Sebastian (Peter and the Starcatcher and Henry V), Joe Vincent as Gonzalo (A Christmas Carol and The Merchant of Venice), Richard Watson as Caliban (Henry V and The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby), Paul Bernardo as Alonso (Peter and the Starcatcher and A Christmas Carol), Brad DePlanche as Trinculo (Spamalot and Henry V), and Dameka Hayes as Ariel.
Director Anne Hering's Orlando Shakes directing credits include The Turn of the Screw, Yankee Tavern, and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Additional directing credits include Cabaret, Into the Woods, Bat Boy: the Musical, and Hay Fever. She currently serves as Director of Education at Orlando Shakes.
Composer Daniel Levy's full-length music-theater credits include Laughing Pictures-A Hollywood Odyssey (Off-Broadway), Cinderella (Off-Broadway), and Jungle Book (Orlando Shakespeare Theater).
Set Designer Kat Conley returns to Orlando Shakes after previously designing Les Miserables and The Taming of the Shrew. She has also served as the Charge Scenic Artist for the Alliance Theater since 1999.
The Orlando Shakes artistic team also includes Lighting Designer Bert Scott, Costume Designer Denise Warner, and Sound Designer Britt Sandusky.
The Tempest is presented by Florida Hospital with additional funding provided by Foley & Lardner, Orlando Utilities Commission, and Macy's. This project is also funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program. This production is part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
Orlando Shakespeare Theater is supported by United Arts of Central Florida, host of www.power2give.org/centralflorida, and the collaborative Campaign for the Arts. Orlando Shakespeare Theater is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
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