A scene from 2006 production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
The Tempest, a play of enduring enchantment, is one of the richest treasures to be found in drama. Marooned on an isle somewhere in the New World, a great but embittered magician prepares to take vengeance on those who have wronged him, only to learn the nature of compassion and forgiveness. Inhabited by a host of characters, The Tempest is the culmination of Shakespeare's unequalled creative powers.
When you attend Curtain Call's sixth annual Shakespeare on the Green production - The Tempest - you will enter a world of illusion and magic where wronged sorcerer Prospero manipulates both spirits and humans in his quest for revenge. Deposed of his dukedom and sent into exile, Prospero uses his powers to draw his enemies to his enchanted island to wreak vengeance. Ultimately he discovers that love and forgiveness work the most potent magic of all.
And it was love of “the Bard” that has driven Curtain Call and its artistic team to develop and maintain their annual outdoor productions. “Seven years ago, at a staff lunch, the idea for an outdoor Shakespeare production began to percolate from director Peter Barbieri, Jr. We all got excited about it and then set out to find a way to make it possible,” said Lou Ursone, Curtain Call's Executive Director. “Our audience grew to nearly 3,500 last year and we are hoping to see even larger crowds this year,” he added.
The Tempest conjures a world of innocent lovers, bawdy buffoons, mystical beings, and a spectacular storm that transforms everyone in its path. It was among the last of Shakespeare’s plays; he is thought to have written it in 1610–11, and it was performed at court November 1, 1611. It was printed in the 1623 First Folio. Among Shakespeare’s sources were an account of Sir Thomas Gates’ shipwreck, works on the New World such as Silvester Jourdain’s A Discovery of the Barmudas and the True Declaration of the Estate of the Colonie in Virginia, and other sources he frequently used for his plays, including Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Virgil's Aeneid, and the essays of Montaigne. According to Barbieri, “It is said that Prospero's speech in Act 4 Scene 1, ‘Our revels now are ended...’ is Shakespeare himself saying good bye to his audience. Also in that speech is one of my favorite quote's - ‘We are such stuff as dreams are made on’ - that's how I've felt about Shakespeare on the Green from the beginning.”
Every year on Curtain Call’s version of The Globe Theatre stage three flags are raised that represent the three genres of the bard's cannon: red for tragedy, green for history and purple for comedy. The flag on the highest peak tell passersby what will be presented. “This year we are flying the purple flag but there's something more. While listed as a comedy when it was initially published, many modern editors have since re-labeled the play as one of Shakespeare's late romances. The play truly is a romance. There is a beautiful love story to be told here.” Barbieri said.
Featured in this cast are, from STAMFORD - Heather Abrado, Roger Dykeman, Erica Lynn Evelti, Scott Ferrara, Dominick Lettera, Kimberley Lowden, Julia Maggiola, Brian Maher, Rebecca Godoi Pasquino, David Pollard, Jim Ringel, Zully Ramos, Kevin Thompson and John Zimmerman; from FAIRFIELD - Caroline Lellouche, Elizabeth Meny, Darin Meny and Fred Tisch; from DARIEN - Julia Robertson and Ali Prince; from NORWALK - Rob Nichols and Andrew Harrington; from NEW CANAAN - Thomas Nailor; from WESTPORT - Will Cohn; from WILTON -Stephen DiRocco; from BETHEL - Jim Muthersbaugh; and from NEW YORK, NY - Rebecca Judelson; from NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Mike Harris; from MAMARONECK, NY - Jessica Pilcher and from CARMEL, NY - Joe Efferen. Rounding out the production team are costumer Claudia Nereau of SOUTH SALEM, NY; lighting designer Aaron Meadow of NEW YORK, NY; production stage manager Jan Ursone of STAMFORD and assistant stage managers Brent McKinley of STAMFORD and John Atkin of Norwalk. Scenic design is by Barbieri.
Audience members at opening night of 2008 presentation of ROMEO & JULIET
“Magic at the time of Shakespeare was considered dangerous and subversive, so Shakespeare made his wizard a “practical” magician,” Barbieri said. “Many directors miss the importance by just dealing with the magic,” he added. In Barbieri’s version the audience sees where Prospero's magic comes from – his books. It is evident throughout the overall design of the play. From the island which is composed of giant books, down to the details on the costumes which appear to be made from the pages of books. “I wanted the audience to realize at a glance that ‘knowledge is power’,” Barbieri added.
This year's free (contributions appreciated) outdoor production will play on Curtain Call's own version of the Globe Theatre stage(designed by Barbieri), July 10, 11, 12, 16, 17 and 18 on the lawn alongside The Royal Green Restaurant. Performances begin at 7:30 each evening. The park will open to patrons at 6:00 pm each day. Food and beverages will be available in the adjoining tent or may be pre-ordered through The Royal Green Restaurant. (Alcoholic beverages may not be brought into the park.). Parking is available across the street at Davenport Ridge School.
“Outdoor Shakespeare is a terrific way to introduce audiences to the works of Shakespeare,” Ursone said. "The casual atmosphere makes the entire event less intimidating - more accessible - and ultimately more enjoyable,” he added. “From Shakespeare aficionados to those hearing his words for the first time, young and old alike will enjoy this production,” he said. “This is a truly terrific, full-family event,”
Ursone said, noting the many families in attendance over the past five years. Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets and/or chairs.
Free outdoor Shakespeare is a summer ritual all around the world, but hadn't been a part of the Stamford cultural landscape until Curtain Call launched this program in 2004. “We're thrilled to be joining other great area presenters in adding to the wonderful opportunities in the arts that Fairfield County is known for. As Stamford's longest-running community-based non-profit theatre, this program was a natural extension of our expanding base of programs” Ursone said. Barbieri added “I cannot believe that this is our sixth year. It seems like only yesterday that we were building the actual pieces of the globe. Our audiences have continually grown with many new people showing up each year to enjoy the experience.”
This program, the brainchild of Barbieri, is the result of a major collaboration on the part of Curtain Call, The Stamford Golf Authority and The Royal Green Restaurant. “It's an absolutely amazing time for all of us here at Sterling Farms,” Ursone noted, adding that for many years people talked about having free Shakespeare in Stamford and now, six years into it, it's a summer tradition for many. “We are thrilled to be able to provide this annual event free to area residents through the generous financial support of several sponsors like The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, The Garden Homes Foundation, The Fairfield County Weekly, New Alliance Foundation, The Royal Green Restaurant, The Stamford Golf Authority, The City of Stamford, The Xerox Foundation and many individuals," he said.
More in formation is available at www.curtaincallinc.com or by calling 203-329-8207. Curtain Call is the non-profit community-based theatre company in residence at The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue in Stamford. Year-round productions and workshops are presented by and for area residents in The Kweskin Theatre and The Dressing Room Theatre. It was voted Fairfield County's BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 in the Annual Readers' Poll of The Fairfield County Weekly and BEST LIVE THEATRE by the readers of StamfordPlus magazine for 2008 and 2009.
