Moorpark, CA – Moorpark College Theatre Arts is proud to announce the opening of the classic Shakespearean comedy The Tempestand it will feature the 10 year anniversary of the Elizabethan-style set that was designed by Theatre Arts instructor Brian Koehler for the productions of Henry IV parts I & II in 2013. This comedic fantasy runs March 16th thru March 25th on the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center main stage. The 8:00pm performances on March 17th and March 25th will be accompanied by ASL interpreters.
In this classic fantasy, Prospero, father of Miranda, uses his magic to conjure a storm and torment the survivors of a shipwreck, including the King of Naples and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio. Prospero’s servant, the half-man-half beast Caliban, plots to rid himself of Prospero’s servitude, but is thwarted by Prospero’s magical spirit-ally Ariel. The King’s young son, Ferdinand, thought to be dead in the shipwreck, falls in love with Prospero’s daughter Miranda through an awkwardly sweet courtship. Their celebrations are cut short, however, when Prospero confronts his brother and reveals his identity as the usurped Duke of Milan. But, as happens in all Shakespearean comedies, the families are reunited and all conflict is resolved in a highly romantic and entertaining fashion.
“The base design of our Shakespearean set takes inspiration from the Globe Theatre in England,” said Brian Koehler, Technical Theatre instructor and Scenic Designer of The Tempest. “This style of stage becomes a classic theatrical component in and of itself; with show-specific elements that largely rely on the dialog of the production to delineate space and detail. It provides a multi-layered production experience for our students, both technicians and performers. By embracing this classic basic structure, it allows for production project work that our scenic and tech students are assigned in classes. Even with something as crazy as The Tempest it is about embracing the traditional structure versus hiding it.”
The Tempest runs March 16th thru March 25th @ 8:00pm with 2:00pm matinees on Sunday March 19th and Saturday March 25th on the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center main stage with ASL interpretation provided for the 8:00pm performances on March 17th and March 25th. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center Box Office at (805) 378-1485 or online at www.moorparkcollege.edu/pac. There is a 20% discount for purchasing tickets in advance online. Moorpark College is located at 7075 Campus Road in Moorpark, 93021.
