Shakespeare: whimsical, magical and fun

Times Contributor 

 

When we think of Shakespeare, many of us roll our eyes and say a prayer of thanks that high school is over; but Brad Graham, director of the theatre company Suspension of Disbelief, is giving us a fun opportunity to look at Shakespeare differently.

“We get the idea that Shakespeare is serious business and needs to be told in a serious way,” said Graham. “but I think there’s something in almost every one of his plays that is just hilarious…sit-com worthy stuff. We were looking for something whimsical, magical and fun to give to our audience this summer,” Graham said. 

So with that in mind, he’s directing a cast and crew of Rosebud students, residents and graduates in  an up-to-date production of Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’.

Graham said Prospero (Kelsey Krogman) is a single mother, feeling abandoned and cut off from her community. Her blended family includes her daughter Miranda (Emily Boyle) and Ariel (Jenny Daigle) as the wilful teen who’s ready to be out on her own. Prospero’s foster son, Caliban (Conrad Belau), has got into some trouble and needs a lot of care and discipline.

The Tempest is a story about family and reconciliation, the relationships between parents and children that Graham said he was intrigued to explore.

“It’s a “family dynamic … that seems so modern, but was being explored by this writer that long ago,” said Graham.

In 2013, their first season, Suspension of Disbelief produced ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. Graham said they received a lot of compliments from people new to Shakespeare. He said some audience members were nervous coming into the show, about whether they’d know what was going on, or if this was really for them. Before they left, they’d discovered how great the classical language could be when used to clearly tell the story.

This year, the show returns to the outdoor Forum Amphitheatre, on the grounds of the Badlands Passion Play.

“We get to make a big storm – The Tempest,” Graham said. “The audience may get to play a part in that, which will be some fun.” 

He’s pleased the show also includes original music by Jessica Benini. The Tempest runs Aug. 21 to 24 and 27 to 30 at 7 p.m., with additional 2 p.m. matinees on August 24 and 30. Ticketing is pay-as-you-will. For info call 1-888-823-2001 (Passion Play box office) to leave names on a guest list, but tickets will also be available at the door.

“It’s my hope that we’ll see more people just drop in and see what we’re up to. I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish and I think the work will continue to speak for itself,” said Graham.