Telluride Theatre, Shakespeare in the Park: “The Tempest,” Opens 7/20

10 Jul Telluride Theatre, Shakespeare in the Park: “The Tempest,” Opens 7/20

For its 2019 Shakespeare in the Park happening, Telluride Theatre presents “The Tempest,” directed by Colin Sullivan. Shows, rain or shine, take place on the Main Stage in Telluride’s Town Park Saturday, July 20 – Sunday, July 28, 8 p.m. The Sunday matinee on July 21 is at  2 p.m. Suitable for ages 12+. Tickets are available at telluridetheatre.org/tickets or by calling 970.708.7629.

Member/Sponsorship Night with cocktails and treats . includes a pre-show on Tuesday, July 23, 7 – 8p.m. on the Town Park Stage. Since space is limited, please respond by July 19 to sasha@telluridetheatre.org.

This year, 2019, marks the 29th year for Shakespeare in the Park and Telluride Theatre chose a classic that is one of the most beloved in the vast cannon.

Written in 1611,  there has always been something special about Shakespeare’s last play, The Tempest,” which he wrote entirely on his own. The plot evolves as a rumination on the journey from childhood towards death, centered around the question of what each of us wants to leave behind. The central character is Prospero, a deposed duke-turned-magician.

Prospero’s personal struggle to regain his royal status finds him developing magic that binds and enslaves the actual magical creatures of the island. It is only through the love and connection he feels with his daughter Miranda – and his plan to give her a life beyond the isolation and control of his island – that he ultimately learns forgiveness begets freedom.

But there is still more to the magic in “The Tempest.”

Shakespeare wrote this play just five years before his death, a kind of swan song that ends a prolific career that resulted in 37 plays over about  two decades. He intuitively knew there would be real magic in watching a butler, a clown, and a monster drink their way around a deserted island. He knew that watching young people awkwardly stumble their way through the maze of love would be beautiful. And he knew we are better than our individual ambition. We are all base monsters and soaring birds. We do not need wands or books to cast spells, just a bare stage and a big story. We are such stuff as dreams are made on…and that is enough.

“The Tempest is one of those truly unique plays.  It is part comedy, part tragedy, part drunks, monsters and magicians. It is beautiful and sad and a true tribute by Shakespeare to the power of theatre and people coming together to believe in great stories,” said director Colin Sullivan, continuing:

“‘The Tempest’ is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays.  It is one of his last and definitely one of his best.  I am really excited about the team we’ve put together this year. We have our veteran core surrounded by some great new talents, including a wonderful new actor from Denver, Chris Kendall, who is anchoring the show as our Prospero.”

Featuring:

Julia Caulfield, Peter Chadman, Suzanne Cheavens, Mary Higgins, Chris Kendall, Sue Knechtel, Cat Lee Covert, Peter Lundeen, David MacMillan, Blaine Musselman, Simon Perkovich, Jeff Taylor,  James Van Hooser, Sam Young.

Production staff:

Directed by Colin Sullivan
Technical Direction and Set Design – Dan Gundrum
Costume Design – Melissa Trn
Lighting Design – Tommy Wince
Video Design – Alexei Kaleina
Makeup Design – Colleen Thompson
Set Carpentry – Dan Gundrum

Telluride Theatre, more:

Telluride Theatre is committed to advancing the performing arts in our region through innovative productions, education programs and community involvement. We create theatre that lives in moments of truthful human connection, promotes joyful celebration and is an open dialogue, accessible to all audiences.

Director bio:

Colin Sullivan (Director) is Executive Director and an ensemble actor in Telluride Theatre. He holds a B.A. in theatre arts from St. Lawrence University and a Master’s in Teaching from Fordham University. Colin has trained as a performer at the Actor’s Theatre of Louisville’s professional apprenticeship program, the Michael Chekhov Institute, as well as with Double Edge Theatre and the SITI Company. In addition to his Executive Director role, Colin is an instructor in the company’s unique ACTions education programs. He has appeared in Telluride Theatre productions since 2008.