The Tempest Reviews
Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
"...Choosing The Tempest as their first show to break the enforced theatrical silence of the past 16 months makes a lot of sense for Oak Park Festival Theatre. Shakespeare's late romance celebrates the "rough magic" of finding redemption, love, and freedom after storms both literal and metaphorical have knocked the characters on their asses. We can relate, certainly."
Around The Town Chicago- Recommended
"...Each one of the excellent cast members makes Shakespearean English roll off the tongue as if it were being spoken on a daily basis. Two performers especially stand out in this show: Bernell Lassai, who plays Ariel, and Kevin Theis, who plays Prospero. Lassai beguiles us with his emphatic acting and beautiful singing voice and especially with the tone and tambre of his spoken voice. His movements are refined and glorious. Theis dominates the stage with his strong body language, fine acting, and commanding presence, which elegantly hold the show together."
Chicago Theatre Review- Recommended
"...If you are looking for a classic work of Shakespeare to find a new way to dig into your heart and headspace, then I recommend seeing this performance. This would definitely be an enjoyable performance to read beforehand and then watch it sprout to life on a magical Friday night. Bring a bottle of wine and charcuterie board, a small group of friends so as to discuss the big ideas after this cathartic work, and maybe some reclining chairs or a portable ottoman."
Picture This Post- Recommended
"...It's Lassai's wide-opening arms and twist-posed torso that telegraphs just how physical the acting is from start to finish. Whether it's the ever-curled legs of the monster slave Caliban (Matt Gall), the drunken antics of Stephano (Orion Lay-Sleeper) and Trinculo (Savanna Rae), or the aver of chastity by Ferdinand (Austyn Williamson) that brings Shakespeare's more ribald meanings great clarity - this is a well-told tale conveyed with physical theater gestures as much as tongue twirls to give the Bard his due."