Tempest Review

Civic Theatre actors can't save tepid 'Tempest'

Shakespeare's classic play uneven and tedious to watch
Friday, March 16, 2007
BY ROGER LELIEVRE News Arts Writer

Although Shakespeare's "The Tempest'' in part concerns a motley crew of shipwrecked seamen cast ashore on a tropical island, it's the audience that mostly needs rescuing from The Ann Arbor Civic Theatre's uneven telling of Shakespeare's classic.

If not for a drunk (Sean Sabo), a jester (David Melcher) and a deformed slave (Brodie Brockie), this production, which opened Thursday night at Washtenaw Community College, would have been an even more tedious affair. At least these three seemed to be aware that they were actually actors in a play responsible for imbuing life into their characters. When they were on stage, the show came alive. The same was true for Ariel, the airy spirit (DinaVovsi), whose dance-like movements brought an otherworldly feel to an otherwise ordinary set.

Weakest of the cast, unfortunately, was Prospero (Thom Johnson), a key character who looked the part but seemed to struggle mightily with his lines. Although he got better as the play went on, he never seemed to come into his own as the island's magic-wielding wizard. He, as did others too numerous to name, seemed to lack passion; they often sounded like they were just reciting the lines.

The set, with its foam-like structures, appeared amateurish, although the costumes were rich and detailed and original music, courtesy of Brian Brill and director David Andrews, provided welcome interludes. The island spirits and a trio of deities also helped breathe some color into the show.

All in all, however, this tepid "Tempest'' could have used a lot more sound and fury.

"The Tempest'' continues at 8 tonight and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at Towsley Auditorium at Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor. To purchase tickets, call 734-971-2228, or visit www.a2ct.org.