Shakespeare@
Jersey City’s Premier Classical Theater Company
presents
The All-Free Radio Play
In Four Parts

THE TEMPEST
By William Shakespeare

Episode One
October 1, 2020 7 p.m.

www.shakespeare-at.org

Adapted & Directed by Artistic Director SEAN HAGERTY
Original Music: JOAN MELTON
Sound Design: DAN GERHARD & ELLEN FITTON

Featuring
DAVID HARGREAVES, MARIA-CHRISTINA OLIVERAS, JONATHAN FORBES,
JAMIE BALLARD, THOMAS ALDRIDGE, DEREK WILSON, ARIA SHAGHASEMI,
ANDREW SELLON, & KEITH HAMILTON COBB

Simply listening to SHAKESPEARE@ is an amazing experience. No distractions, just the beauty of the language to savor. The “visual” scenes are limited only by the listener’s imagination. No jostling, no candy wrappers being opened, no overpowering perfume. Just the listener and the velvet voices caressing each bit of dialogue. We don’t know what the actors look like, but their voices are totally delicious.

For those not familiar with this play, THE TEMPEST has it all. A terrifying shipwreck, father and young daughter washed up on an isle, mortal enemies, monsters, wizardry, spells, love, betrayal, revenge, redemption, and more. First performed in 1611, it is believed to be the last play that Shakespeare wrote alone. He died in 1616.

Part One begins with the roaring tempest, tossing the ship like a child’s toy from wave to wave. The passengers and crew shout with fear. Then, silence. Prospero and Amanda stand on the island, looking out to sea. Prospero takes this opportunity to tell Miranda the story of his past. He was a duke, until his brother stole his title. The tempest, he tells her, will send his enemies to find him. He will have his revenge at last!

Prospero conjures to call forth his Familiar, the spirit Ariel, and gives instructions. The resentful servant Caliban is sent for firewood. Shakespeare slowly drops new ingredients into this stew of villainy and family strife. A plan is afoot. And it’s a humdinger.

SHAKESPEARE@ will air Part Two on October 8. Not to be missed.

-Karen D’Onofrio-