The Tempest: Theater review by Raven Snook
After arriving DOA at Shakespeare in the Park earlier this summer, The Tempest regains its mojo courtesy of the Classical Theatre of Harlem. Set on a blue-sand-covered Caribbean isle and stripped down to one brisk act, this production plays up humor and relationships over political intrigue. Looking like a shaman with his ram’s skull-headed staff, Prospero (spellbinding Ron Cephas Jones) is formidable as a sorcerer scorned. But, just as his daughter falls for the prince, the audience’s heart belongs to fools Trinculo (Anthony Vaughn Merchant) and Stephano (Emmanuel Brown), who pepper their drollery with saucy asides in Spanish and slapstick. The rainbow cast, African drumming and dancing, and Rachel Dozier-Ezell’s snazzy tropical costumes combine to make this a magical, multicultural take on a familiar classic.—Raven Snook
Richard Rodgers Amphitheater (Off-Off Broadway). By William Shakespeare. Directed by Carl Cofield. With ensemble cast. Running time: 1hr 40min. No intermission.