SLC-Based New World Shakespeare Company Presents Post-Apocalyptic Tempest to Benefit HEAL Utah Salt Lake City, UT
Prospero has spent 12 years exiled on an isolated island, perfecting his magic, controlling spirits and demi-devils, driven by revenge and sure that he will eventually exact it on those who stranded him there with his young daughter, Miranda. “Fortune” (and a big storm) brings his foes, disoriented to his island, leaving them completely in his control.
Thus goes the story of The Tempest, Shakespeare’s wise and enchanted finale. As this most likely was the last play he wrote, Prospero’s choices may well have been Shakespeare’s last will and testament for humanity. If the storm is not thunder and rain, but a metaphor for the end of the world as we know it, and if the island is not a beautiful Caribbean beach front, but ground zero for the greatest tragedy humanity has ever inflicted on itself, then Shakespeare’s tale is more relevant than ever.
This is the concept behind New World Shakespeare Company’s production of The Tempest, playing at The Sugar Space, February 15th-24th. “We cannot control Mother Nature, but we keep trying to,” says director, Jill Stark who most recently played Romeo in last summer’s acclaimed, gender bending, NWSC production of Romeo and Juliet, “as powerful as we think we are as humans, if we destroy each other, nature will survive.”
In this production of The Tempest, Prospero helps us look into ourselves to discover our own true natures in the face of a crumbling society.
The Tempest will be performed February 15th through the 24thth at 7:30 pm on Thursday-Saturday performances and 5:00 pm on Sundays. Performances will be at the Sugar Space, 616 Wilmington Avenue in Salt Lake City. Tickets are available through ArtTix. A portion of the profits from this production will be donated to HEAL Utah’s efforts to make Utah’s environment healthy and safe for all. For more information about New World Shakespeare Company, or to make donations call 801-719-7998 or visit: www.
Don’t miss this exclusive two weekend run! New World Shakespeare Company is in its inaugural season. This Salt Lake City based Shakespeare company produces classic scripts with modern interpretations, to relate to audiences more directly. Each production is also accompanied by a charitable campaign for a local cause that relates to the theme of the show.
Post expires at 11:59pm on Sunday February 24th, 2013