The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s 2026 production of The Tempest, directed by Rick Dildine. Photo credit: Phillip Hamer Photograpy
The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival has returned to Forest Park’s Shakespeare Glen with a fresh, fast-paced take on The Tempest, one that feels more like a gentle summer breeze than a storm. Running Tuesday through Sunday at 8:15 PM until June 21, director Rick Dildine has crafted a streamlined, 90-minute adaptation that proves classical theater doesn’t have to be stuffy, exhausting, or academic. In fact, this highly accessible production seems custom-built to prove that Shakespeare truly is for everyone.
For those unfamiliar with the story, The Tempest centers on Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan who was cheated out of his title by his scheming brother, Antonio. Exiled to what they believed was a deserted island, Prospero and his young daughter, Miranda, discover it was actually the former home of a witch named Sycorax. Sycorax left behind her half-human son, Caliban, and a familiar spirit named Ariel, whom she had imprisoned in a tree. Prospero frees Ariel, binds the spirit to his will, and enslaves Caliban. With their help (willing or not) and his magical abilities, Prospero manages to build a comfortable home for himself and his daughter, and he devotes himself to her education.
Years later, Prospero learns that his usurping brother is sailing past the island alongside Alonso, the King of Naples, who is returning from his daughter’s wedding. Sensing the perfect opportunity for payback, Prospero orders Ariel to conjure a mighty storm to shipwreck the royal entourage without harming a soul on board. With the schemers trapped on the island, Prospero must make a fateful choice: will he hold onto past grudges and seek revenge, or will he let go and envision a brighter future?
Just two years ago, the festival staged a touring version of this same play. Because of the demanding travel schedule, that 2024 troupe used a minimalistic set design and a small cast playing multiple roles. This year’s mainstage iteration has a grander design. The main set piece is a wrecked ship cleverly converted into a multi-chambered house. Rather than relying on heavy special effects, the company conjures up high seas magic with precise lighting, sound effects, beautiful-yet-functional costumes and a lively, acoustic-folk score. Led by Musical Director Michael Grieve (who also plays the Boatswain), the live sea shanties give the show a rustic charm.
Nancy Bell leads the cast as the gender-flipped Prospero, delivering a commanding performance that balances the character’s intellectual weight with a relatable desire for justice. Her interactions with Sigrid Wise’s Miranda bring about a believable change of heart; in time, the old scholar realizes that she has much to learn from her student. By trimming down the scenes involving the stranded royal entourage, the production gives the romantic and comedic subplots plenty of room to shine. Miranda and Zay Williams’s Ferdinand drive the plot with their innocent romance, and the two have real chemistry. Meanwhile, Chauncey Thomas brings great physical energy to Caliban, playing perfectly against the classic clowning of Stephano the butler (Michael Doherty) and Trinculo the jester (Jose Sabillon). The soused Stephano puts the prissy jester in the unexpected role of straight man, and their hijinks provide the show’s biggest laughs.
The mainstage show is just the beginning of a lively festival season. From August 4 to September 6, a touring production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona will travel to venues across St. Louis County and Southern Illinois, including stops at the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Chesterfield Amphitheater. Later, the festival returns to Forest Park from September 24 to October 11 for Romeo and Zooliet, a wildly popular animal-inspired adaptation for kids—think “Shakespeare meets Zootopia.” The company is also gathering local stories to develop an original play set in Dogtown.
The barrier for entry to all of this entertainment is incredibly low. Reserved seats ($20–$25) and premium boxes ($200) are available to purchase at stlshakes.org, but most guests will be content attending for free with a blanket and some lawn chairs. Just be sure to arrive early, as parking near the Art Museum fills up fast… and please support this donor-funded institution by buying drinks, snacks, and this year’s stylish new festival tee.
At the end of the play, Prospero makes a famous request of the audience, asking for their applause to set her free. This summer, set your own spirit free by going on a flight of fancy and imagination in lovely Shakespeare Glen. It’s a St. Louis tradition and one of the best theater experiences in the Midwest. | Rob Von Nordheim
