Chicago Tribune
- Somewhat Recommended
"...While the broad arc of “The Tempest” will be familiar to many theatergoers, this version packs in so much world-building and backstory that the pacing often drags. Plus, character motivations tend to be hazy, especially in the case of Prospera. However, the script does include a few poetic gems that sound straight out of a sci-fi novel, such as the young officer Dax (Hayden Lane-Davies) describing his chaotic yet beautiful home flotilla as “a riot of primates refusing to die.”"
Chicago Reader
- Highly Recommended
"...Adapted and directed by Tiffany Keane Schaefer, Prospera transforms Shakespeare’s magical island into a desolate moon where brilliant exiled scientist Prospera (Stacey Lind) has mastered volatile alien energy over two decades of isolation. When a starship carrying her enemies crashes on the moon, Prospera must choose between digital vengeance and human mercy in this high-stakes tale of survival, AI integration, and redemption."
Around The Town Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...Over the course of two hours, the play skillfully unfolds the familiar beats of The Tempest—betrayal, romance, manipulation, and reconciliation—through a sci-fi lens. What truly elevates the production are its technical elements. Hayley Wilkinson’s set design makes excellent use of futuristic textures and visual storytelling, transforming the stage into a believable alien world."
Chicago Theatre Review
- Recommended
"...A worthwhile and unique take on The Tempest, Prospera! is evocative of sci-fi giants and will delight fans of Shakespeare, Lucas, and Roddenberry alike."
Third Coast Review
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Prospera: A Sci-Fi Retelling is a fanciful but complicated story in its new production by Otherworld Theatre. The play is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s late play, The Tempest, but you can enjoy it without having seen the Shakespearean version. If you are familiar with The Tempest, however, it’s interesting to compare the characters who appear in both the 500-year-old story and this futuristic version. Prospera is written and directed by Tiffany Keane Schaefer, Otherworld’s artistic director."
Entertaining Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...Tiffany Keane Schaefer’s script includes some really interesting concepts that modernize The Tempest into something a little more powerful for our modern times. Miri is a strong young woman, curious and powerful, always aware that her mother (who loves her) is manipulating every situation to a T. She wants to be her own woman, but is stuck in a methodical system by an overbearing parent and constant observation by Ariel."
Werner's Theatre Reviews
- Somewhat Recommended
"...However, Prospera’s challenge — and the element most likely to confuse its audience—is its dense and under-explained science-fiction world. While the emotional arcs and relationships are largely clear, the play introduces a flood of new terminology and conceptual systems that are not fully explained onstage. Familiarity with The Tempest will help orient the viewer, but will not clearly decipher the rules and stakes of this futuristic universe."
