The Tempest at Chicago Shakes

For anyone who lives in Chicago, or is visiting, I highly, highly recommend seeing Chicago Shakes’ “The Tempest.” I saw it this past weekend and it is, absolutely, one of those productions that I will remember always. Teller (of Penn & Teller) was involved, creating magic for the show, Tom Waits wrote beautiful songs (sung by two ladies with beautiful voices), and the dance/movement company Pilobolus did the choreography -- three elements that, not done with such care and attention to the text as displayed here, could come off as gimmicky, but, instead, only elevate the material and aid to perfectly transport the audience to this magical world. The tricks are amazing, beautifully done, and easily integrated into the show. The songs, which mainly come as transition pieces, only heighten the emotions and atmosphere of the island. And, the movement is truly amazing – two actors play Caliban, with bodies always connected in some way.

The directing is top notch. So much attention paid to the smaller moments and, despite there being such magic and fantasy all around them, the emotions and relationships are so human.

And that cast! Not one weak link. Nate Dendy, as Ariel, in particular, is a fantastic actor, as well as magician.

Has anyone else seen this production?

Updated On: 10/5/15 at 11:28 AM

I saw this back in September during previews and was so blown away I'm going back next week to see it again. Having seen a large number of Chicago Shakes productions, this one is in my top 3 all-time there. I agree that it's well-worth checking out, and Nate Dendy is really something special in it.

I saw the production at the ART in Cambridge. I agree it was a splendid production and all the elements really clicked. Tom Nelis was Prospero and he was terrific, and I agree about Dendy.

For me, the main reason to see the show was the always-astounding Larry Yando in the role of Prospero. The magic was fun and usually well-integrated, but the music and the Pilobolus choreography felt like they came from a different world. I also wished that the songs set some of Shakespeare's text to music instead of writing new lyrics--there's so much to pull from, and what they came up with really stuck out. I was also very unimpressed with the young actress playing Miranda. I could name at least a dozen performers who would have done a better job and were probably available. I was surprised that one of the city's largest theaters was not able to find a better actress.