Lost Nation Theater caps off season with Shakespeare
October 4, 2024 | By Waterbury Roundabout 
Lost Nation Theater presents Shakespeare's final play, 'The Tempest,' at Montpelier City Hall, weekends Oct. 10-27. Here, on Prospero's orders, Ariel and the Fractals lure the shipwrecked King's son Ferdinand (Evan Lewis) to safety. Photo by John R. Snell
Lost Nation Theater’s season finale production is Shakespeare’s play, “The Tempest,” on stage at Montpelier City Hall Thursdays through Sundays, Oct. 10-27.
“Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows!” is one of many lines from Shakespeare’s classic that continue in modern everyday language.
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on” is another famous line from “The Tempest.”
These lines offer a glimpse as to the range of themes the story encompasses.
“The Tempest” brims with comedy, romance, music and magic – Shakespeare at his best.
Director Ann Harvey (right) meets with set designer John Devlin and LNT Founder Kim Bent. Photo courtesy Lost Nation Theater
Director Ann Harvey of Duxbury heads up the production that continues Lost Nation’s fall foliage Shakespeare tradition.
“‘The Tempest’ hangs on the story of two families, something that all of us can recognize. Shakespeare's last play is chock-full of hate, love, attraction, revenge, cruelty, magic, compassion and more,” Harvey said. “Together with a terrific production team, the acting company will bring this energetic, magical tale to an audience where the true alchemy happens. I can't wait!”
This fast-paced, entertaining, show begins with betrayal, moves through reckoning and redemption, and ends with freedom and forgiveness. The story’s brilliance lies in knitting together poignant drama, madcap comedy, and fantasy with an empowering ending.
“The Tempest” asks: How do we find our way back to one another after being estranged? Hilarious fools, magical spirits flit through the show celebrating the power of love and forgiveness and what it means to be human.
Lost Nation uses the First Folio Text to bring that brilliance to life. Harvey explains: “‘First Folio Text’ sounds academic and dry, but nothing could be further from the truth! It is as close as we can get to Shakespeare's original texts – full of acting clues, directions, and vibrance, creating robust, lively, UNDERSTANDABLE productions. Now here we are on an adventure together once more, following the lead of my guide and playmate – William Shakespeare.”
A veteran of the Champlain Shakespeare Festival, Lost Nation Theater’s founder Kim Bent agrees. “First Folio technique has been our guiding light. Shakespeare’s script is the score, and we love learning to sing it as he composed it!”
The production team includes Choreographer Emma Manion, Composer Kathleen Keenan, Scenic Designer John Paul Devlin (“The Prom”), Costumer Cora Fauser (“I Am My Own Wife”) and production Stage Manager Tara Hightower. Lighting Designer Kayo Tokuue joins Lost Nation for the first time from Japan/New York City.
Shipwrecked court jester Trinculo (Nick Wheeler, right) gets drunk with island creature Caliban (Töve Wood) in Lost Nation Theater's production of 'The Tempest.' Photo by John R. Snell
“This is a bucket-list script for me,” commented set designer Devlin. “And the intimacy of LNT’s space is perfect for it.”
The cast features Bent as Prospero. Returning are Nick Wheeler (“Into the Woods,” “Twelfth Night”), Jim Thompson (“The Prom”), Marissa Mattogno (“Hairspray”). Making their Lost Nation mainstage debuts are Aliza Azarian, Angie Calfa, Emily Harvey Lacroix, Evan J. Lewis, Brittney Malik, Case Phinney, Jim Phinney, Stacia Richard, Kolin Shaw and Töve Wood.
Showtimes: Thursdays through Saturdays, Oct. 10- 27, at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. Performances are livestreamed for ADA access due to city hall’s elevator being inoperable. See website for details.
Tickets: $10-$30, depending on ticket type; guaranteed reserved seating is available for an additional fee. Purchase tickets online, by phone (Tues.-Fri., 11 a.m.-3 p.m.) or in person at the Montpelier City Clerk’s Office (Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.). More at lostnationtheater.org. Contact: 802-229-0492; info@lostnationtheater.org.
Masks are strongly recommended for in-person attendance, but not required.
The 'spirits' who carry out Prospero's orders & magic: Ariel (center, played by Aliza Azarian) and "the Fractals" (l-r, Case Phinney, Marissa Mattogno, Emily Harvey LaCroix), at dress rehearsal for Shakespeare's 'The Tempest.' Photo by John R. Snell