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News Release

Last modified: Friday, March 7, 2008

The Acting Company comes to town with "The Tempest" at IU Auditorium for one night only

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2008

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana University Department of Theatre and Drama and the IU Auditorium are thrilled to co-sponsor the arrival of The Acting Company's production of William Shakespeare's The Tempest.

In his last few plays (The Tempest, Pericles, Cymbeline and The Winter's Tale -- often referred to as the "Late Romances"), Shakespeare turned his pen toward healing and reconciliation -- so central is it in the journeys of the principal characters of these plays, some conjecture Shakespeare may have been feeling a few compunctions about his own life. Witness for yourself Shakespeare's "farewell" play at the IU Auditorium, one night only, on March 19 at 8:00 pm.

Written during the last phase of Shakespeare's career, at a time when he became increasingly interested in the theme of forgiveness, The Tempest, a play of enduring enchantment, is one of the richest treasures found in drama. Shakespeare's magical last play, his poignant farewell to the stage, has love, tragedy and comedy combined in equal measure. The usurped wizard, Prospero, draws his enemies to his enchanted island to exact revenge yet, ultimately, finds peace and the ability to forgive. Hailed as a stunning climax to the career of England's favorite dramatist, The Tempest is a play praising the glories of reconciliation and forgiveness. Some believe that Prospero's final speeches signify Shakespeare's personal adieu from the stage.

The Tempest has something for everyone: comedy, revenge, attempted murder and a love story -- all controlled by a philosopher/magician. And it plays out, like today's reality shows so popular with students (like Lost or Survivor) against the backdrop of groups of island castaways. However, supporting the story is some of Shakespeare's most beautiful, transcendent and emotional language. If we can hook the young with the story, we can show them how the language is the necessary vessel to transport them there.

Selected for its theme of reconciliation, The Tempest is an excellent introduction to Shakespeare for young and new theatergoers and a reminder of Shakespeare's most beautiful use of language for those more seasoned. No matter how far we evolve through communications and technology, our ability to live at peace with one another still depends on the simple, but life-altering, capacity to forgive. This theme of reconciliation needs to be heard by every generation.

As we are able to overcome the boundaries of reality, like Prospero, through learning and magic (in our era, the explosion of technology is an apt analogy), we may forget the relationships that are supposed to be central to our lives. But for all his magical powers derived from astrology, alchemy and nature, Prospero's act of forgiveness is his most powerful. Thus, The Tempest reminds us that it is never too late to re-form broken relationships through forgiveness.

As our Globe faces troubled times, we present this production of The Tempest as a reminder of our innate humanity so we may take comfort that we are never beyond reconciliation. Each of these final plays of Shakespeare's career tells a unique story of healing an injured world and forgiving through patience, love, sacrifice -- and a little bit of magic.

The Acting Company's production transforms Shakespeare's play into deeply affecting theater. Director Davis McCallum and a team of extremely talented actors and designers create a mesmerizing theatrical tour-de-force that should be seen by young audiences and avid theater goers alike.

IU Alumnus Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, Jesse L. Martin, Frances Conroy, David Ogden Stiers, Jeffrey Wright and Rainn Wilson are but a handful of actors whose careers have been developed by The Acting Company. Honored by the Tony Awards for Excellence in Theater, the Company has won the Obie, Audelco, Citibank's Excellence in Education and Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards.

Since its founding by the legendary John Houseman and Margot Harley in 1972, The Acting Company has performed 127 productions touring to 48 states and 10 foreign countries. See for yourself what makes The Acting Company -- winner of a TONY Award for Excellence in Theater the most respected and praised touring repertory theater in America.

Tickets are on sale now. For ticket information, call 812-855-1103. Look for the news link at iuauditorium.com for information and ticket links. Further press information including photos and other images can also be found at www.theactingcompany.org/press.

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