Tempest Brewing

Alumnus returns as protagonist

February 19, 2008

Fred Morsell '62 returns to the Dickinson stage as Prospero in Shakespeare's The Tempest.

The Department of Theatre & Dance and the Mermaid Players are bringing Shakespeare's The Tempest to the stage, and they've enlisted Fred Morsell '62 to play Prospero, the protagonist.

Morsell, who worked for many years in television, film and New York and regional theatre, is perhaps best known for his self-developed, one-man show about the life of Frederick Douglass.

"I am blessed to come back and work on one of the great college stages," says Morsell, who has enjoyed seeing what has and hasn't changed about the campus. "The students have been gracious. Theatre is all about working to achieve a common goal, and that puts everyone on the same level."

Lindsay Anderson '09 plays Miranda, Prospero's daughter. The spirit Ariel is played by Christyn Budzyna '11, and Prospero's slave, Caliban, is played by Jeremy Pesner '09.

Shakespeare's last major play, The Tempest mixes romance and sentimentalism with comedy and magic. This interpretation will include input from students enrolled in a special, year-long course that examines Shakespearean scholarship and production. The course is taught by Todd Wronski, professor of theatre & dance, and David Kranz, professor of English and film studies.

Performances are Feb. 29 and March 1, 3 and 4, at 8 p.m. in Mathers Theatre in the Holland Union Building.

Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for the general public. Tickets can be reserved starting Feb. 25 by calling 717-245-1327. Tickets can be purchased at the box office weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m., as well as one hour before each show.