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CORVALLIS - Oregon State University will present "The Tempest" - William Shakespeare's classic play about magic, romance and manipulation - May 22-24 and May 29-31 at the Withycombe Hall main theater. Curtain time for all performances is 7:30 p.m.

"The Tempest" mixes pathos and joy, history and humor. The opening scene of a shipwreck is preceded by events that took place 12 years earlier, when the Duke of Milan, Prospero (Kevin H. Allen), is cast away in a boat with his infant daughter Miranda (Taylor Phelps). Prospero's brother Antonio (Peter Platt) usurps his dukedom, in league with Alonso, the king of Naples (Ray Lischner).

But with the aid of Gonzalo (Calvin Ward), Prospero and Miranda land on an island, where the former duke works his magic to take control of the inhabitants, especially the sprite Ariel (portrayed by several actresses), and the monster, Caliban (Rob Hazel).

As the play begins, a ship carrying Alonso, Antonio and others - on the way back from Naples where Alonso's daughter was married - encounters a sudden storm. No one is hurt because the storm was created by the magic of Prospero, who brings the passengers safely to the island.

It is there that love, magic and thoughts of murder take center stage as Prospero manipulates the characters like puppets, propelling the play to its satisfying conclusion.

This is the final installment in the All Shakespeare Season offered by OSU's University Theatre. "The Tempest" is directed by Marion O. Rossi, a faculty member in OSU's theater arts program. Assistant professor Margaret Jones designed the costumes, and associate professor Richard George designed the sets and lights. This is George's last official production for the theater; he is retiring after 34 years at OSU.

Sophomore Mical Sharp is coordinating and creating the music for the performances; Aerin Holman, a senior, is production stage manager; junior Chad Smith is assistant stage manager.

The Withycombe Hall Theater is located at 30th and Campus Way on the OSU campus. Tickets for "The Tempest" will be available by calling 541-737-2784 beginning May 19. They are priced at $10 for the general public, $7 for seniors, and $5 for students.

The performance on Friday, May 30, will be sign language-interpreted for the non-hearing, and includes narrative description for the non-sighted.

Cast and Crew of "The Tempest"
(and their acting or stage roles) ALBANY: Christopher Wilson, a junior in health promotion and education, portrays a master and a troll.

CANBY: Casey Woodworth, a junior in anthropology, Ariel.

CORVALLIS: John Carone, a community member, Sebastian; Kyle Cowgill, a freshman in speech communication, a mariner and a troll; Delaney Deaver, a senior in theater, a nymph; Ethan Demarest, a community member, Stephano; Amy Edwards, a sophomore in theater, Ariel; Hans Eleveld, a senior at Crescent Valley High School, Ferdinand; Rob Hazel, a freshman in English, Caliban; Ray Lischner, a community member, Alonso; Peter Platt, a community member, Antonio; Jason Schindler, an alumnus in chemistry, Francisco; Mical Sharp, a sophomore in apparel design, Ariel; Calvin Ward, a community member, Gonzalo.

ESTACADA: Holie Barker, a senior in political science, Ariel.

EUGENE: Brian Ramey, a sophomore in philosophy, Adrian.

GASTON: Holly Marquardt, a freshman in psychology, a nymph.

GLADSTONE: Nyssa Walsh, a freshman in English, a nymph.

GRESHAM: Adam Campbell, a senior in physics, a boatswain and a troll.

INDEPENDENCE: Kevin Allen, a community member, Prospero.

LOSTINE: Taylor Phelps, a freshman in animal sciences, Miranda.

MONROE: Aerin Holman, a senior in apparel design, stage manager.

MYRTLE CREEK: Sarai Long, a freshman in theater, a nymph.

PORTLAND: Courtney Silvester, a junior in French and theater, Ariel.

ST. HELENS: Matt Bremmer, a senior in general science, Trinculo.

WILSONVILLE: Danen McGilchrist, a freshman in music, a mariner.

IOWA
CLEAR LAKE: Chad Smith, a senior in theater, assistant stage manager.

OHIO
DAYTON: Allison Miller, a junior in biology and theater, a nymph.

WASHINGTON
BELLEVUE: Elizabeth Luwe, a freshman in elementary education, a nymph.