A trek lately took me to The Odyssey Theater
A sweet companion and an evening deluxe
to sample a closely tailored tale of Shakespeare
the New American Theatricals’ “Tempest Redux”
The venue was intimate, the audience held in close
a simple stage, blue light, an actor
began the play holding the center stage as most
other characters came to surround him after
Like steel shavings to a magnet, or moths to a flame
Jack Stehlin performs Prospero, the right Duke of Milan
calling forth his servants, bound to honor his name.
The freedom longing Ariel, the angry Caliban
by power not easily understood, must remain
with Prospero, who calls the tempest to the sea,
to wreck the unsuspecting ship of his enemy.
A trim and well shaped script, performers of great skill
Director John Farmanesh-Bocca bends them to his will
The four legged Caliban moves by drag and tumble
The shipwrecked crew is shown both mad and humble
The amplified Ariels speak through the air
Confounding the mortals who know not they are there
A fine play, offered with a charming modesty
Jack Stehlin and company play at the Odyssey
physical poetry, both seen and heard.
Friday through Sunday, ’til April 23rd.
Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles; Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m.; Extended through April 23. For tickets go to www.OdysseyTheatre.com. Running time: 90 minutes.
Photo credit to Enci Box, @Stage Raw
Very nice!
Tempest Redux is an amazing performance. A thoughtful and creative re-imagining of the original it has more heart and impact. It is a must see! Even my teen enjoyed it.
A truly amazing experience — I’ve seen many stagings of The Tempest, and this was by far the best. And Judith!!! Nice work!!!! A review in iambic pentameter? I can barely still SPELL those words!!! What a pleasure to read, and it helped me to remember the utter amazement of the play itself. Yipppeeeee!!! I love Culver City. How could I not?