Photos: THE TEMPEST

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2008-2009 season, an exploration of the imagination, with The Tempest by William Shakespeare, directed by ensemble member Tina Landau – playing March 26 – May 31, 2009 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.  The Tempest features ensemble members Alana Arenas, K. Todd Freeman, Frank Galati, Jon Michael Hill, Tim Hopper, James Vincent Meredith, Yasen Peyankov, Lois Smith and Alan Wilder with Eric James Casady, Miles Fletcher, Stephen Louis Grush, Emma Rosenthal and Craig Spidle. The press performance is Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 3:00 p.m.

In Shakespeare’s final work, Prospero is exiled to an enchanted island where he harnesses the powers of magic and masters the spirits that dwell there. His desire for revenge drives him to conjure a mighty storm, trapping his enemies on the island. In our first-ever Shakespeare production, Steppenwolf ensemble member Tina Landau re-imagines this magical tale of art, freedom and the transformative power of forgiveness.

Ensemble member Tina Landau most recently directed Steppenwolf’s 2008 production of Superior Donuts by ensemble member Tracy Letts.  Other Steppenwolf directing credits include The Diary of Anne Frank, Cherry Orchard, The Time of Your Life (also Seattle Rep, A.C.T.), Theatrical Essays, Maria Arndt, The Ballad of Little Jo, The Berlin Circle, Time to Burn, and her own play, Space (also NY’s Public Theater, Mark Taper Forum).

The design team for The Tempest includes: Takeshi Kata (sets), James Schuette (costumes), Jane Cox (lights), Josh Schmidt (original music and sound), Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi (aerial choreographer) and Rob Clare (text and verse consultant).  Malcolm Ewen is the Stage Manager and Christine D. Freeburg is the Assistant Stage Manager.

Frank Galati and Jon Michael Hill

K. Todd Freeman, Yasen Peyankov and Tim Hopper