Theater News

Kate Burton to Play Prospera in Old Globe Production of The Tempest

The Shakespearean romance will kick of the Old Globe’s season of outdoor theater.

Kate Burton will play Prospera in the Old Globe's summer production of The Tempest.
Kate Burton will play Prospera in the Old Globe's summer production of The Tempest.
(© David Gordon)

Casting has been announced for the Old Globe Theatre's upcoming production of The Tempest, running June 17-July 22 with an official opening set for June 23. The show kicks off the theater's 2018 Summer Shakespeare Festival, which hosts theater in the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.

The Tempest is described as follows: "Prospera, the Duchess of Milan, lives in exile on a desert island after being thrown out of power by her wicked brother. For company, she has only her daughter Miranda, the spirits who are native to the island, and her beloved books. The books are the source of her dark magic, which she uses to lure her enemies to the island so she can exact revenge. But her plot could destroy Miranda's happiness, so Prospera must choose between her own anger and her daughter's future."

Directed by Joe Dowling, the cast will star three-time Tony nominee Kate Burton as Prospera, with Philippe Bowgen as Ariel, Robert Dorfman as Stephano, Manoel Felciano as Caliban, Robert Foxworth as Alonso, Lizan Mitchell as Gonzala, René Thornton Jr. as Antonio, and Andrew Weems as Trinculo.

The cast will also include students in the Old Globe and University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program: Sam Avishay as Ferdinand and Nora Carroll as Miranda; and ensemble members Carlos Angel-Barajas, Yadira Correa (Francisca), Daniel Ian Joeck (Sebastian), Jose Martinez, Renardo Charles Pringle Jr. (Boatswain), Larica Schnell (Ceres), Jersten Seraile, Samantha Sutliff (Juno), Morgan Taylor, Wenona Truong (Iris), Jared Van Heel (Adrian), and Eric Weiman (Shipmaster).

The creative team includes Alexander Dodge (scenic design), David Israel Reynoso (costume design), Philip S. Rosenberg (lighting design), Jonathan Deans (sound design), Keith Thomas (original music), and David Huber (voice and dialect coach). Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting and Anjee Nero serves as production stage manager.