Daniel Davis Conjures The Tempest, Opening at Hartford Stage May 18

By Adam Hetrick
18 May 2012

Daniel Davis
Daniel Davis
Photo by Robert Mannis

Tony Award nominee Daniel Davis stars as Prospero in the Hartford Stage production of Shakespeare's The Tempest, which officially opens May 18 after previews that began May 10 under the direction of Darko Tresnjak.

Hartford Stage artistic director Tresnjak helms the classic that will run through June 10.

Joining Davis (La Cage aux Folles, The Cherry Orchard, Invention of Love, "The Nanny") are Noble Shropshire (Gonzalo), Bruce Turk (Trinculo), William Patrick Riley (Ferdinand), David Barlow (Sebastian), Michael Spencer-Davis (Stephano), Shirine Babb (Ariel), Sara Topham (Miranda), Joshua Dean (Sailor/Spirit), Jonathan Lincoln Fried (Antonio), Christopher Randolph (King Alonso), Ben Cole (Caliban), Alex Saffer (Francisco/Boatswain), Mark Ford (Sailor/Lord) , Jane Cracovaner (Spirit/Goddess), Jillian Greenberg (Spirit/Goddess) and Annastasia Duffany (Spirit/Goddess).

Here's how Hartford describes The Tempest: "One storm rages on the sea. Another storm rages inside of a man. Will Prospero, the banished Duke of Milan, exact his revenge or forgive his foes? Shakespeare’s magnificent last play is a meditation on family, love, mercy, and—ultimately—the theatre itself. With wonder, imagination and sheer theatricality, this powerful production will take you on a breathtaking journey filled with song, dance, masks and puppetry."

The design team includes Alexander Dodge (scenic design); Fabio Toblini (costume design); Michael Chybowski (lighting design); David Budries and Nathan A. Roberts (sound design and original music); and Joshua Dean (aerial consultant). The stage manager is Mary K. Klinger.

For tickets and more information, phone (860) 527-5151 or visit hartfordstage.org.