Go! Review

Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival ends its season on a magical note with an impressive rendition of the Bard’s final play, “The Tempest.”

Bruce Cromer leads the way as Prospero, the former Duke of Milan who has been stranded on an island for 12 years, raising his daughter, Miranda, and taking control over the spirits and creatures that inhabit the island.

He uses his power to force a shipwreck that would bring those who betrayed him back in the day to his new home so that he can seek his revenge.

The rest of the cast rises to the occasion, as well. Giles Davis does amazing things with his body and voice as the monster Caliban, making him reminiscent, although in a less sneering way, as Gollum in the “Lord of the Rings” films. Chris Guthrie and Jeremy Dubin provide excellent comedic relief as the drunkards Stephano and Trinculo, and Bill Hartnett wheezes and bristles his way through as the old man Gonzalo.

Corinne Mohlenhoff, completely covered in black, uses a simple piece of ribbon to convey the spirit of Ariel, while the other spirits use puppetry and satire to carry the weight.

The CSF stage almost literally becomes the island during the production as designer Will Turbine has placed a pond — deep enough for Caliban to dive into — around a turntable, which director Drew Fracher uses with great imagination to convey the magical qualities of the story.

The magical elements, one imagines, serve as a metaphor for the magic of theater as many of the characters seem to be aware that they are in a play and address the audience directly.

It would seem there’s something for everyone in “The Tempest,” a romance, political intrigue, revenge, monsters and magic, and a clown show that includes fart jokes and an elaborate spit-take.

how to go
WHAT: “The Tempest”
WHERE: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, 719 Race St., Cincinnati
WHEN: Through May 27
COST: $18-$24
MORE INFO: (513) 381-2273; cincyshakes.com