Previews began Sept. 3. The Off-Broadway production stars Tony Award winner Mandy Patinkin (Evita, Sunday in the Park With George) as magic-making Prospero, who lends his singing voice to the role. CSC artistic director Brian Kulick directs. Original music and sound design are by Christian Frederickson.

CSC's intimate home is at 136 East 13th Street in Manhattan. Performances continue to Oct. 12.

Joining Patinkin, who plays the magical "right Duke of Milan," is Craig Baldwin (Sebastian), Yusef Bulos (Gonzalo), Company's Angel Desai (Ariel, an airy sprite), Karl Kenzler (Antonio, the usurping Duke of Milan), Nana Mensah (Female Sprite), Nyambi Nyambi (Caliban), Bhavesh Patel (Boatswain/Adrian/Male Sprite), Michael Potts (Alonso), Steve Rattazzi (Stefano), Journey's End Tony nominee Stark Sands (Ferdinand, son of the King of Naples), Tony Torn (Trinculo) and Elizabeth Waterston (Miranda, Prospero's daughter).

Scenic design is by Jian Jung with costumes by Oana Botez-Ban and lighting by Brian H Scott.

The Tempest was written circa 1611. *

In his 1980 Broadway debut, Patinkin won a Tony Award for his role as Che in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita and was nominated in 1984 for his starring role in the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Sunday in the Park with George. In 1991 he returned to Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical The Secret Garden and in 1997 played a sold-out engagement of his one-man concert, Mandy Patinkin in Concert, with all profits benefiting five charitable organizations. Patinkin's other solo concerts, Celebrating Sondheim and Mamaloshen, have been presented both on Broadway and Off. Other stage credits include The Wild Party, Falsettos, The Winter's Tale, The Knife, Leave It to Beaver is Dead, Rebel Women, Hamlet, Trelawney of the 'Wells,' The Shadow Box, The Split, Savages and Henry IV, Part I. He has many TV and film credits and is heard on solo albums.

Entering its 41st season, Classic Stage Company is the award-winning Off-Broadway theatre "committed to re-imagining the classical repertory for a contemporary American audience. CSC presents plays from the past that speak directly to the issues of today. As we return to works of the past, we endeavor to keep a clear eye on the future, particularly in terms of the next generation of artists and audiences."

For ticket information visit www.classicstage.org.