Through April 19, 2008
Reviewed by Chris Gibson
The Meramec Theatre Department's presentation of William Shakespeare's The Tempest is visually arresting, with video projections, fog machines and dazzling lighting on display. Unfortunately, a game cast is overwhelmed by the spectacle. Though, perhaps not the "stuff dreams are made of", this production is entertaining nonetheless.
Set adrift twelve years prior, and living alone on an island with his daughter, Miranda and the "monster" Caliban, the wizardly Properso conjures up a storm to strand the ship of the very man, Antonio, who led the effort to banish him from his dukedom in the first place. When Miranda happens upon Ferdinand, the Duke of Milan's son, it's love at first sight for the both of them. Through incidents choreographed by the spells of Prospero and the efforts of the spirit, Ariel, love will prevail, wounds will be healed and wrongs will be righted.
Robert Beck disappoints as Prospero. He stumbles early in the show and never seems to muster up the bluster necessary. He's adept at being fatherly, and his scenes with Miranda are well done. But when called upon to perform the more magical and confrontational aspects of the show, he lacks intensity and fire. It doesn't help that some his speeches are pre-recorded as well.
Benjamin Charles Petty is exceptional as the deformed creature Caliban. Petty delivers the goods physically with a feral performance that's enhanced by gruesome makeup, including creepy white contact lenses. Sandra Callahan-Manzoni is also quite good as Ariel. Her acrobatics are a delight to watch, whether she's being flown on wires or shimmying up a length of cloth.
Katie Robinson as Miranda and Justin Smith as Ferdinand, make a nice pair of romantic leads. Robinson conveys the innocence of a girl who's been raised and educated by her father on a remote island, far from their ancestral home. Smith is affable and sincere as the young prince.
Chris Pickup as the scheming Sebastian, Jeremiah Williams as Stefano, a drunken butler who enslaves Caliban in a minor subplot, and Drew Pannebecker as the court jester who aids him, are solid in support.
Michelle Rebollo's direction is generally fine, but the action is often overpowered by the technical elements directed by Darren Thompson. Thompson's simple and effective set design allows for some stunning images created by Zlatko Cosic to be projected upon it.
Ryan McNeely contributes an uneven score that only occasionally sets the proper mood. Kelley Eversgerd's costumes are smartly conceived and styled.
The Meramec Theatre Department's presentation of The Tempest continues through April 19th (2008).
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