The Tempest was performed April 7-9, and will continue April 15-16 at 7:30 pm. There was also a matinee on April 17 at 2 pm and a dinner theater on April 9 and 16. The dinner theater was held in IL 117. The rest of the performances were held on the main stage in the Fine Arts building.

The play begins with a ship at sea. The ship enters into a storm, and the people on the ship are ejected into the waters around an island, on which the story centers. Meanwhile, Prospero, a sorcerer, and his daughter Miranda gaze out at the storm from the island, which Prospero has caused with his magic. Prospero tells his daughter how they came to be on the island, a story that he had started many times but had never finished until now. Prospero had been Duke of Milan until his brother Antonio, with the help of Alonso, King of Naples, usurped his position and kidnapped Prospero and his daughter, setting them on a raft at sea. The duo survives because Gonzalo gave them supplies and Prospero’s books, from which Prospero gains his power and magic. Prospero and Miranda have been on the island for twelve years. Prospero says that fortune has sent his enemies his way so he raises the storm, or tempest, so that he could make things right with them.

After finishing the story and putting Miranda into a sleep, the sorcerer calls upon his familiar spirit Ariel, who is his chief magical agent and his captive servant. Ariel had been imprisoned before Prospero had come to the island and the man who had imprisoned her had died.

Ariel brings Ferdinand, the Prince of Naples, to Prospero, who then charms him and brings Ferdinand to prison after accusing Ferdinand of merely pretending to be the Prince of Naples. Miranda and Ferdinand are smitten, certain that they will be wed one day.

On a different part of the island, Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, and others give thanks that they have arrived safely on the island but fear that Ferdinand has been killed. After Ariel enters and charms all but Sebastian and Antonio to sleep, the two plot to kill the king – Alonso – and his servant Gonzalo. The plot is foiled when Gonzalo awakens, and the party continues to search for Ferdinand.

After much more misdirection and tricks performed by Ariel and Prospero, all parties are reunited at Prospero’s castle and things are patched up between all parties.

I give The Tempest five out of five spurs.