CAST On The Air

Listen for an interview by Aureila Nelson with Ray Jenness and Joseph Stiliano on North Shore 104.9 FM, at 9 AM, Sunday February 20, 2011. Or on your computer at http://www.northshore1049.com/

CAST's Tempest - The Musical

 Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe's coming production of "The Tempest" will feature an original musical score composed by musician/vocalist and New England Conservatory teacher, Rebecca Shrimpton.

Incorporating Music into the Play
 
When director, Ray Jenness, decided upon "The Tempest", one of the things he wanted was to bring the many songs and incidental music to the fore:

"To Shakespeare and his audience, the dance of life and the music of the spheres were very real elements in the world as they knew it. Some of his fellow players were accomplished singers and musicians and Shakespeare's final play is filled with songs and musical sounds", says Jenness.

Rebecca Shrimpton, Composer

Finding an Organic Sound
 
Shakespeare wrote lyrics for eight songs in the play, and there are stage directions for instrumental music, including a formal dance scene. The action takes place on Prospero's island, rich with magic, mystery and nature and the director and composer wanted to evoke its other-worldly qualities.

"We needed instruments that would sound organic to such a place", explained Rebecca Shrimpton, "so we chose voice, recorder, guitar, bodhran and a variety of hand percussion, played by Olivia Gale, Kevin Quinn and myself."

The Inspiration of Ariel

"In writing the melodies for the songs, I was largely inspired by the characters themselves", continued Shrimpton. "Much of the music is centered around the ethereal and playful sprite, Ariel, whose strange and haunting songs are meant to enchant and bewilder other characters. In this production, Ariel is able to divide into multiple beings (staged by a group of dancers), so I thought it would be fun if Ariel played duets with him/herself on voice and recorder. The rest of the music includes boisterous drinking songs, a stately dance, a tender love theme, and, finally, a merry jig to send everyone home dancing."

Performance Dates

Thursday, February 24 - Saturday, February 26 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 27 at 3 p.m.

The Gorton Theatre (Home of the Gloucester Stage Company).

How to Purchase Tickets
 
Tickets are $15 (General) and $10 (Student) and may be reserved at cast2008@prodigy.net or purchased at the door.

Youth tickets (18 years and younger) are $5 and are available only at the door.

Learn More
 
Check out behind the scenes coverage of the production on CAST's Facebook page. 

NEXT PRODUCTION

THE TEMPEST

February 24, 25, 26 @ 8 PM; 27 @ 3 PM

Gorton Theatre

(Home of the Gloucester Stage Company)

267 East Main Street, Gloucester

         The Tempest is one of Shakespeare's most popular plays and also, the most abused by modern directors and producers. Over the last fifty years, this evocative fantasy has often been used in performance as a metaphor for all sorts of political and cultural agendas. Too often, lately, Caliban has been made the focus of the story !! I want to get back to Shakespeare's original intent, which was entertaining an audience.

       With Prospero's magic at the center of things and the use of dance and music to heighten the emotional experience, I'd like audiences to leave the theater feeling transported and uplifted by a wonderful what-if- all-things-are-possible ride.

Ray Jenness, Director

Cast

Boatswain - Steve Aiello

Adrian - Beth Bevins

Ferdinand - David Cluett

Ariel - Sarah Fader

Miranda - Mia Formichella

Antonio - Travis Joyce

Alonso - Beebe Nelson

Ship's Master - Duncan Nelson

Sebastian - Marc Nelson

Caliban - Nick Neyeloff

Prospero - Jim Robinson

Gonzalo - Joseph Stiliano

Francisco - Ken Stoeffler

Trinculo - Elinor Teele

Stephano - Steve Turner



Fall Production

SEASON 2010-2011

"The Two Gentlemen Of Verona" - one woman, three men, something's got to give - November 18 - 21, 2010 at the Gorton Theatre (Home of the Gloucester Stage Company)

"The Tempest" - before there was "Lost"; magic and mystery with intelligence - February24 - 27, 2011 at the Gorton Theatre,

"A Shakespeare Celebration" - Scenes, Sonnets, Songs: mark the Bard of Straford's birthday with words and music - May 6 and 7, 2011 at the stunning new Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport

TBA, May 20,21, 22, & 27,28,29, 2011 at the newly renovated Rockport Community House.

CAST Benefit Dinner at Alchemy

Please join us for an evening of great food and entertainment at one of the North Shore's finest restaurants. Included in the price of the dinner are wines and a ticket to a performance of Measure For Measure at the Gorton Theatre.

Measure for Measure

Measure For Measure is a dark comedy of lust, intrigue and justice set in sixteenth century Vienna. The story involves, among others, a young man sentenced to death for fornication, his sister, a novice in a nunnery, a self-righteous judge, and the Duke of Vienna who goes about disguised as a monk. The young man's sister pleads for the life of her brother, only to be told by the hypocritical judge that if she will yield her virginity to him, he will spare her brother. The plot really thickens when the meddling, disguised Duke decides he will set things right through a series of bizarre manipulations. Ray Jenness directs the fine cast which includes Steve Aiello, Christina Applegate, Beth Bevins, Kelsey Bevins, Sherri Gray, Gregg McLaughlin, Beebe Nelson, Nick Neyeloff, Nathaniel Punches, Jim Robinson, Matt Schwabauer, Michael Siering, Elinor Teele, Michael Wescott and Jennifer Wilson. The stage manager is David Perrigo; costumes by Susan Frey. Produced by Joseph Stiliano.

Gorton Theatre
(Home of Gloucester Stage)

May 13-15 at 8 p.m.
May 16 at 3 p.m.

$15 general
$10 student/senior

Tickets available at the door
or by emailing cast2008@prodigy.net