Following a critically acclaimed debut and enthusiastic audience response, New Place Players is bringing back Tempest Tossed, its intimate adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, for a limited eight-performance engagement this June at Casa Duse in Brooklyn.
Adapted by Craig Bacon and directed by Janina Picard, Tempest Tossed transforms Shakespeare’s final masterpiece into a chamber theater experience that places audiences at the center of the story. Running through June 26 the production invites theatergoers into the elegant parlor of Casa Duse, where the boundaries between performers and audience dissolve, creating a uniquely immersive encounter with one of Shakespeare’s most beloved works.
Praised by critics for capturing the spirit of early modern theater, the production combines live music, movement, and storytelling to create a richly atmospheric interpretation of the classic tale. The adaptation narrows the focus of the original play while expanding the perspective of Sycorax, the powerful witch whose presence looms large over the story but who never appears in Shakespeare’s text. In Tempest Tossed, Sycorax is finally given a voice, offering new insights into themes of justice, freedom, forgiveness, and restoration.
A major highlight of the production is its original live score by music director Flavio Gaete, whose compositions help transform the intimate venue into a magical island landscape. The experience is further enhanced by Butoh-inspired movement choreography led by Yoshiko Usemi, adding a dreamlike visual dimension to the performance.
“What makes this version of The Tempest unique is the way the stunning, intimate setting of Casa Duse wraps around you like the island itself,” said adapter Craig Bacon. “It’s Shakespeare as it was always meant to be experienced: up close, personal, and unforgettable.”
The cast features Anna Bikales as Sycorax, Jacquie Bonnet and Rose Kanj sharing the role of Ariel, Blake Brundy as Caliban and Ferdinand, Craig Bacon as Prospero, Flavio Gaete as Juno, and Clara Tristan as Miranda.
The creative team includes scenic consultant Grace Laubacher, costume designer Kathleen Rembish, and lighting designer Ethan Feil. Together, they create an environment that allows audiences to fully immerse themselves in the story’s magic and emotional depth.
With a running time of 75 minutes and only eight performances scheduled, Tempest Tossed offers theater lovers a rare opportunity to experience Shakespeare in an intimate and innovative setting that celebrates both the timelessness of the original work and the possibilities of contemporary performance.