Goodly Creatures (Kentucky Shakespeare)
- stagedoorlouisville
- Apr 18
- 2 min read
The Tempest
By William Shakespeare
Directed and Adapted by Crystian Wiltshire
Review by Kate Barry
Entire contents are copyright © 2026 Kate Barry. All rights reserved.
When an epic storm brings a king and his crew to a magical island, enchantment and romance follows. Spirits play, love blooms and a little tomfoolery is thrown in for good measure. Shakespeare in the Parks tour produced by Kentucky Shakespeare currently offers The Tempest. With 46 stops in the Kentuckiana area, five actors and a concise 75-minute adaptation, this production is as delightful and playful as a Spring breeze.
Directed and adapted by Kentucky Shakespeare mainstay Crystian Wiltshire, the play holds on to a sense of whimsy. From the opening storm sequence through the young lovers frolicking on the island, this Tempest is a tender romantic comedy. Shakespeare’s descriptions of “sounds and sweet airs” and the warmth of the setting sun and gentle winds at Farnsley Park on Thursday provided a welcome natural mysticism to the atmosphere controlled by the sorcerer Prospero.
The ensemble consists of five actors fulfilling roles of lovers, kings, spirits and everything in between. Serving as the spirit Ariel and bounded Caliban is Maria Krasel Cardona Morales. With trills, rhythmic movement and grace, Morales’ Ariel is an engaging, obedient sprite who craves freedom. Morales work with the Ariel puppet (designed by Amy Davis) creates clever illusion as their beautiful wings flow in the air. Morales brought smart physical character as Caliban. Draped in a black frock with color seen in the cracks and a hunched posture, Morales’ physicality offers an accessible interpretation of a character burdened to the earth.
As Prospero, Tim Pollack channels wisdom and a quiet strength. Fatherly in nature, Pollack does well to create a performance that is heartfelt yet unyielding. His delivery of the “we are such stuff as dreams are made on” speech is a moment of poignancy and tenderness. Leonard Peterson III shows a great range as he appears as the vibrant spirit, Juno and the shipwrecked King Alonso. Peterson’s performance as Alonso provides contrast and conflict with Pollack’s Prospero as romance grows between their children.
As the lovers, Miranda and Ferdinand, Maya Woodruff and Ian Fitzgerald are childhood sweethearts. Playful and demure, Woodruff and Fitzgerald’s mortals are slow to fall in love with a genuine innocence that culminates with games like tag and paper, rock, scissors. These actors provide comedic performances as the helpless Stephano and Trinculo. Foiled and fooled by Morales’ cranky Caliban, Fitzgerald and Woodruff’s tipsy clowns give over the top performances, cartoon like in nature and delightful to watch.
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival’s The Tempest is a dreamy production that is sure to please. Love is found with the beauty of Louisville parks as a backdrop. So grab a blanket and catch one of the many stops of the spirited Shakespeare in the Parks tour.
The Tempest
Kentucky Shakespeare
Shakespeare in the Parks Tour
Louisville Metro and surrounding area Parks
Runs until May 24 2026
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