(Above: The cast of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, onstage at Cottage Theatre through Aug. 24, includes Serene Zamora as Miranda, Clarence Miller as Ferdinand, and Tracy Brous as Prospero. Tony Rust directs.)
Special note from Cottage Theatre:
• The Thursday, Aug. 21 performance of The Tempest will have American Sign Language interpretation. Please contact our Box Office (info@cottagetheatre.org or 541-942-8001) if you wish to be seated in a location to maximize viewing of the ASL interpreters.
• Also, Cottage Theatre’s auditorium and box office are equipped with a Hearing Loop, to improve the theater experience for patrons with hearing loss. Inquire at the box office if you have any questions regarding the loop system.
By Randi Bjornstad
Cottage Theatre opens its doors on Aug. 8 for 11 performances of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, which the theater describes (somewhat gleefully, it seems), as “an ancient saga brimming with malice and magic.”
The plot in a nutshell
“Prospero is a duke-turned-sorcerer who has spent the last twelve years raising her daughter in exile on a remote island. When the nobles who betrayed them happen to sail nearby, Prospero seizes the opportunity to seek revenge and a new future for her daughter. She conjures a shipwreck and conscripts the island’s supernatural beings to wreak havoc, make mischief, and play matchmaker. After 400 years, The Tempest endures as a testament to the transformative nature of forgiveness and the power of a parent’s love.”
Cast and crew
Tony Rust designed and directs The Tempest, with costume design by Rhonda Turnquist, lighting design and live foley effects by Amanda Ferguson. Olive Bennett is stage manager.
The actors include Tracy Brous as Prospero and Serena Zamora as Prospero’s daughter Miranda, with Darcy Rust as Ariel) and Clancy Miller as Ferdinand. Additional cast members are Alex Istudor, James Kiser, Autumn White, David Guy Evans, Martin Fogarty, Jonathan Routledge, Alex VonderHaar, Tori Flynn, and Brianna Bird.
Performance details
When: Evenings at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 8-9, 14-16, and 21-23; Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 10, 17, and 24
Where: Cottage Theatre, 700 Village Drive, Cottage Grove (east of the I-5 freeway off Exit 174)
Tickets: $29 for adults, $15 for ages 18 years and younger, available online at cottagetheatre.org or by telephone from the box office at 541-942-8001; advance purchase recommended
About Cottage Theatre
Founded in 1982, Cottage Theatre produces a year-round season of plays and musicals featuring talented Lane County performers. The theater also offers educational programs for youth. As a member of the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT), Cottage Theatre was one of just six theaters in the United States selected to produce a world premiere as part of the AACT 2024 NewPlayFest.
