KCPT’s Shakespeare in the Park
presents “The Tempest”
The Bard’s romantic fantasy comes to life
in beautiful Chetzemoka Park
Magic and romance transform Chetzemoka Park into a remote
tropical island as Key City Public Theatre presents William
Shakespeare’s fantasy “The Tempest” for three weekends from
Friday August 6 through Sunday August 22.
Now a beloved summer tradition, this year’s “Shakespeare in the
Park” production is directed by Marc Weinblatt, generously
sponsored by Sunshine Propane, and supported by a grant from the
Washington State Arts Commission. It’s a family-friendly event,
although parents may note that a few scenes could be scary for
very young children.
“The Tempest,” Shakespeare's last and some say his greatest
play, masterfully mixes romance and comedy, mystery and
spectacle. As the play opens, Prospero, the rightful Duke of
Milan (played by Lawrason Driscoll) has been stranded on an
uncharted island for twelve years with his daughter Miranda (Devynne
Gannon), the rough-hewn monster Caliban (Charlie Bethel), and a
nature spirit called Ariel (Angela Gilbert).
Prospero has spent his exile becoming a powerful sorcerer.
Harnessing the help of Ariel and the island spirits, he draws a
ship carrying all his political rivals to the island with a
fantastic storm at sea.
At left, Prospero (Lawrason Driscoll) reveals to his daughter
Miranda (Devynne Gannon) that they are nobility, and that he will
soon reclaim his station as the rightful Duke of Milan.
Photo by Phil Baumgaertner.
To
each of the newly-marooned lords and sailors, the island becomes
a unique dream or nightmare. To Prince Ferdinand (Murren
Kennedy), it is an island of love on which he falls for Miranda.
To Prospero’s brother Antonio, the usurping Duke of Milan
(Michael Vicha) it is an opportunity to further his political
ambition. And to the perhaps unjustly enslaved Caliban, who
believes the shipwrecked visitors to have fallen from heaven, it
is a moment to raise rebellion against his master Prospero.
At right, Ariel (Angela Gilbert, center) and the Island
Spirits
(Alanna Dailey and Misha Casella-Blackburn) become Harpies
to warn the island’s visitors of the justice that awaits them.
Photo by Michael McKee.
Original music written by Laurence Cole and Aimee Ringle bring
an African-inspired tribal feeling to the play, with chants sung
by the chorus of Island Spirits and songs for Ariel, all based
on Shakespeare’s text. Cole wrote the music for Weinblatt’s 2008
KCPT production of “The Conference of the Birds.”
“The magic of the island is a catalyst for the transformation of
all the characters in the play,” comments director Weinblatt.
“Our audiences may experience this, too, as the Island Spirits
chant, spin in the air and float all around them.”
The spectacle will be a credit to aerial choreographer Kelia Fae,
assisted by Sadie LeDonna, with costume designer Erin McNamara
and set designer Abbie Greene.
Also in the cast are Sam Cavallaro, Caleb Summers, Steve Treacy,
Andrew Tree, and Don White. Bethel and Treacy are Equity actors
who appear under a special arrangement with the union by which
community theatre performers can gain valuable experience
working alongside professional actors.
Appearing as Island Spirits are Misha Casella-Blackburn, Alanna
Dailey, Liz Dennison, Kelia Fae, Sadie LeDonna, Aimee Ringle,
Keira Matkins, Emily Huntingford and Jason Noltemeier.
Performances
are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m., with
seating beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Admission is pay-what-you-wish, with a suggested donation of $18
on Fridays and Saturdays, $15 on Sundays, and $10 at all shows
for students. There is always plenty of walk-up seating
available at the park, but advance tickets are available online
or by phone at 360.379.0195.
At left, Prospero (Lawrason Driscoll), Ariel (Angela Gilbert)
and the Island Spirits (Alanna Dailey and Misha Casella-Blackburn)
cast a spell on Miranda (Devynne Gannon). Photo by Phil Baumgaertner.
Chetzemoka Park is located at Jackson & Blaine Streets in Port
Townsend. Audience members are encouraged to bring blankets or
lawn chairs for seating on the grass and to dress warmly for
when the sun goes down. There will be a limited number of
blankets available for rental. Picnic fare is welcome and light
refreshments will be available at the concession stand, with
proceeds supporting KCPT’s scholarship fund.
For those with limited mobility, Discovery Bay Golf Club will be
providing golf-cart transport from the park entrance at Jackson
and Blaine streets down the hill to the performance venue. Sound
amplification of the performance is provided.
KCPT’s pay-what-you-wish performances like “Shakespeare in the
Park” are sponsored by the Port Townsend Arts Commission to
encourage accessibility to quality live theatre for and by the
community.
For more information, call the KCPT show line at 360-385-7396 or
visit our Tempest show page.
You can purchase advance tickets here online using our KCPT calendar.
# # #
Back to previous page