“Prospero” – 1988

Review Excerpts

“’ATC’S ‘TEMPEST’ MAGICAL—GISSELMAN’S VISION CAPTIVATES AUDIENCE’…Words race to catch the imagery before it evaporates into the memory of Arizona Theatre Company’s colorful, sweet, warm and magical production of ‘The Tempest.’ This is Shakespeare for the eye as well as the ear, presented with a sweep of stage artistry to support the lyricism of the language…. The common complaint that Shakespeare is too difficult to understand will not apply here. ATC has crafted a very accessible presentation that gains much of its strength from being so thoroughly conceived. Scene follows scene follows scene in striking tableau. They combine to support Shakespeare’s timeless sweep of forces as completely as the subconscious supports one’s own personality. The acting is uniformly good and fitted together with a solid ensemble feel that is comforting. Randall Duk Kim as the regal sorcerer Prospero has a magnetic presence.”
               –Chuck Graham, TUCSON CITIZEN (2/26/1988)

“’ATC’S ‘TEMPEST’ LIVELY, IMAGINATIVE, REWARDING ENTERTAINMENT’…‘The Tempest’ is afforded a charming, lucid production that pays attention to Shakespeare’s tempting words even during the hugely effective moments of music and magic. Under the direction of Gary Gisselman, ATC’s artistic director, this is an exciting piece of work…. His approach is clear-headed and lively, and the result is a work of imagination and humor and emotional depth….Gisselman has brought together a magnificent group of actors. Randakk Duk Kim, a Hawaiian, makes his ATC debut as Prospero. He makes Shakespeare’s language as easily understood as Neil Simon’s (OK, I’m exaggerating). Kim’s is a rich and masterful performance.”
               –M. Scot Skinner, THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR (2/26/1988)

“’ATC FINDS LAUGHS IN ‘TEMPEST’’…First to note among the characters is, of course, Prospero, Duk Kim,…presents a multifaceted character. He is kind yet full of rage, bringing touches of humanity and sly humor to a part that easily could be interpreted as pompous and dull. As Miranda, Lawless is the image of innocence, and the affection she shares with Duk Kim is believable.”
               –Joy Coolidge, THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC

“’SO WHERE IS THIS ISLAND?’…THE PLACE WAS magical even before Prospero, the Duke of Milan, and his daughter Miranda were exiled there. And he brought a lot of magic with him—in his staff, his mantle, and his ancient books…. When Shakespeare wrote this play the big news of the day was the settlements in the New World, stormy wrecks in the Bermudas and the strange native Indians. Who else is native to this island? William Shakespeare, for one. It’s a small imaginative step to see that Shakespeare in his last great theatrical work enjoys speaking through Prospero, a fellow magician and ruler of fantastical worlds. That island and The Tempest can now be found on stage at The Arizona Theatre Company under the direction of Gary Gisselman. They work some theatre magic worthy of Shakespeare and Prospero….A mast cracks. A yardarm falls to the floor….the scene instantly changes to the island….More magic. Then Kim begins to speak. And if you don’t go to the play for any other reason, go hear this actor make Shakespeare’s words his own. He and Lawless are so good at conveying nuances of character while delivering the verse that the second scene doesn’t seem so much full of exposition as full of life. With gentle looks, wry smiles and confidence in his mastery of fate, Kim’s Prospero is never the frightening and majestic god of a Roman painting; instead, the up-turned beard and soft features suggest a world-weary wizard. A Gandalf or a Merlin…. So where is this island in The Tempest? This production makes us see it in the theatre, in Prospero’s eyes, and in Shakespeare’s imagination. In the wonderful final speech, Prospero invites us to complete the creation and to thank him for his vision. The real magic is in Randall Duk Kim as he reaches across 350 years to bring us within a few feet of the mind of a genius.”
               –Howard Allen, THE TUCSON WEEKLY (3/2-8/1988)

“’SOME ENCHANTED EVENING’…Randall Duk Kim delivers a subtle, restrained performance as Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan who practices his magical hobbies on a mysterious island. Kim (looking splendidly enigmatic in Tibetan-style robes and exotic make-up) adds no gimmicks and few embellishments to the role, allowing Shakespeare’s vivid language to do most of the job. Yet the resulting effect is not weakness, but controlled inner strength…. Shakespeare has no doubt looked and sounded this good before. But Arizona Theatre Company has found ways to make The Tempest seem fresh. Whether you’re a die-hard Bard groupie or a novice, it’ll blow you away.”
               –Robert X. Planet, NEW TIMES (3/23-29/1988)