Since its founding in 1972, The Acting Company has staged 127 productions all over the world. And on Jan. 27, its newest show, Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” will premiere in Brooklyn.
“I think ‘The Tempest’ is truly one of Shakespeare’s great plays,” said Margot Harley, the company’s producing artistic director, “and audiences can come without knowing too much [about the play] and be surprised and be delighted.”
“The Tempest” is the story of Prospero, a sorcerer, and his daughter Miranda, who are stranded on an island after being banished by Prospero’s brother, Antonio, and Alonso, the King of Naples.
Directed by Davis McCallum, an Acting Company veteran, the show stars a slew of local talent: Prospect Heights’ Luis Moreno as Alonso, and Brooklyn College alum Peter Macklin as Trinculo. (Macklin is pictured, at right, with Park Sloper Victoire Charles as the fairy, Ariel.)
After its Brooklyn debut, this production will head to California, Oregon, Washington and beyond, but Harley is hoping Sunday’s debut performance will have a broad appeal.
“Hopefully, we’ll have a mix of students and people from the community,” said Harley. And with the Acting Company’s history of churning out stars — Jesse L. Martin of “Law and Order” and Rainn Wilson of “The Office” are both alumni — this show is an opportunity to catch some of tomorrow’s stars today.
Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts presents The Acting Company’s “The Tempest” at 2 pm on Jan. 27 at Brooklyn College’s Walt Whitman Theatre (one block from the junction of Flatbush and Nostrand avenues in Midwood). Tickets are $20-$30. For information, call (718) 951-4500 or visit www.brooklyncenteronline.org.
