We Were There: Classical Theatre Of Harlem Presents The Tempest

Photo Credit: Peter Cooper

I’ve seen many productions of The Tempest in my lifetime. I’ve seen it performed by middle schoolers, high schoolers, and my University even had the actors from the London Stage perform the show for us. However, in all the times I’ve seen the show, I’ve never seen something quite like what I witnessed by The Classical Theatre of Harlem last Thursday.

What started as an impromptu trip around the city with a friend, ended with me in complete astonishment at the performance I witnessed. I had always planned to go see the show after another friend of mine demanded I see the brilliant production, so Thursday night my friend and I made our way to Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. As soon as we got there (8:00 on the dot!), they were just starting and there was a woman floating dressed in white singing with the purest, most clear voice I have ever heard. That was Miss Fedna Jacquet as Ariel, her voice mixed with the lighting of the ship wreck scene let me know I was in for quite a ride.

And a ride it was! I found myself enraptured in the story before me like I’ve never experienced before. In my opinion, I found The Tempest to be one of the plays by Shakespeare I just wasn’t a fan of. Watching what the Classical Theatre of Harlem did changed that for me completely.

Mainly, what I found fascinating was that director Carl Cofield set his production in Hispaniola; the island that is home to both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. That added an entirely different element to it that made the show more cultured. From the Afro-centric style costumes to the African/Caribbean style movement and dance to even the space in which the production played  (this project was outdoors at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater), there was a clear vision for this show and I’d say it was fulfilled.

Since the show was set in Hispaniola the majority of the actors were actors of color, and boy were they good. Ron Cephas Jones blew me away with his portrayal of “Prospero”, he was such a demanding presence at all times. I was particularly captivated by three actors; Carl Hendrick Lewis as “Caliban”, Anthony Vaughn Merchant as “Trinculo”, and Emmanuel Brown as “Stephano.” Every time the three of them stepped on stage I knew I was in for a laugh and a good performance, the comedic timing was perfect, and they even incorporated modern day language (and dance moves!!) into their scenes which connected the audience a lot more. I saw a few teenage boys stop and stay for a while when the three of them were on stage, which I’m sure is exactly what the company set out to do. After all, their mission is to bring classical theatre to Harlem for people not only to enjoy but participate in and be apart of.

To find out more about the company that is bringing free art to Harlem, you can follow the Classic Theatre of Harlem on Twitter or like their Facebook page. They definitely renewed my interest in seeing more Shakespeare, especially if there are people of color in the cast.