On Theater: ‘Tempest’ is magical, mostly
“Shakespeare” and “magic” are two words rarely uttered in the same sentence, but for the Bard’s final play, “The Tempest,” they fit quite nicely, since the central character dabbles in a bit of sorcery.
South Coast Repertory is emphasizing the magical aspect of “The Tempest” as the company kicks off its second half-century of production. It’s the third time the play has been performed at South Coast Repertory, yet this time, it’s an SCR show in venue only, arriving bag and baggage from previous engagements in Boston and Las Vegas.
There is much to applaud in this version, adapted and directed by Aaron Posner and Teller (of Penn and Teller), as well as a few shudder-inducing moments, most of which involve the monstrous slave Caliban, here portrayed as conjoined twins. Their bizarrely choreographed antics may have playgoers checking their watches as the first act comes to a close.
Staged in the current version as a traveling tent show, this “Tempest” is elevated by an outstanding performance from Tom Nelis as the sorcerer Prospero, deposed as duke of Milan by his scheming younger brother. Nelis exudes a sort of divine authority over the Calibans and his faithful young wizard, Ariel, an electrifying Nate Dendy.
Nelis, who rules the island he’s been banished to by virtue of his occult powers, is a commanding presence, at once a virtual dictator and a loving father to his teenage daughter, Miranda (a radiant Charlotte Graham). His steely messages of upcoming vengeance are among the show’s finer moments.
Where the production stumbles is in its overuse of the frightful Calibans (Zachary Eisenstat and Manelich Minniefee, doing yeoman duty clad only in briefs and covered with grime), in concert with a king’s drunken musician (Eric Hissom) and his minuscule companion (Jonathan M. Kim). Their late-first-act banter becomes quite tedious and could certainly be excised without harming the text.
Joby Earle is splendid as an earnest young prince who’s smitten with Miranda (he’s the first man outside of her father she’s ever seen). Mike McShane is quite regal as his father, the king of Naples, but the schemers (Louis Butelli and Edmund Lewis) have little to contribute.
The large SCR stage — transformed into two levels for this production by designer Daniel Conway — is populated by the Shakespearean action and a musical combo known as Rough Magic. Under the direction of Miche Braden and featuring songs by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, the combo propels the story line.
Imagination runs rampant in this “Tempest,” with applause-generating magical feats thrust out at every opportunity. Prospero’s “levitating” of Miranda draws particular favor from the audience.
Shakespeare has been done in virtually every imaginable format, and the magical aspect of this production certainly fits in nicely with the overall atmosphere and the classic text. It’s an enthusiastic start to a new season at South Coast Repertory.
TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot.
If You Go
What: “The Tempest”
Where: South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturdays (except Sept. 13 matinee performance at 1 p.m.), 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 28
Cost: Starts at $25
Information: (714) 708-5555 or https://www.scr.org
