Pericles: Born in a Tempest
About the show
Hunger & Thirst Theatre and the Guerrilla Shakespeare Project production pares down Shakepseare's sprawling tale, distilling the rarely-produced romance into a heartwarming story of the rejuvenating power of family.
... Read moreThe personal storms we encounter during our lifetime are often even more turbulent than the raging tempests sailors experience on the high seas. 'Pericles: Born in a Tempest' is an inventive 90-minute reimagining of the seafaring adventure that places it within a fresh new context: Prince Pericles' journeys come to vivid life for a modern-day woman as she immerses herself in a book her recently deceased father gave her.
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“A unique and compelling, psychologically sound, serious and often hilarious story of loss, struggle and ultimate redemption through the resolution of conflict that only profound understanding can achieve...Beautifully conceived and directed...The stellar company of actors...profoundly skilled...physically adept...able to bring forth complex serious emotions as well as hilarious surprises. They handle the language with perfect precision and clarity." Full Review
"While the play is a little slow to start...it bounds into liveliness once 'Pericles' himself joins the party. The spell cast by the storytellers then reaches its full potency...Director Reeves synthesizes what should be disparate styles into the only elixir which could coax this woman out of her grief - the joy of play, and the romantic sweep of the story...The cast is uniformly strong...The dichotomy of the storytelling is beautifully rendered by the contrast within the design." Full Review
"A heartwarming rendition of 'Pericles'...Director Jordan Reeves manages to achieve clarity in this complex story with delicious simplicity, while liberally applying whimsical, contemporary references...The production features a team of captivating performers who commune in verse but make it sound so natural that they might as well be your next-door neighbors...I was overjoyed to witness the story being told in such a palatable and moving way." Full Review
“A transcendental adult fairy tale. The creators indeed honor Shakespeare’s original vision, complete with the Bard’s genuine dialogue. But through this new re-imagining by creator/director Reeves, THIS ‘Pericles’ takes on a vibe that’s both fantastical and heart-tuggingly real...Accented with humor and performed with zest by a young cast...Hunger & Thirst prove that imagination— with a good dose of creative passion— can go a long way in reinventing a classic.” Full Review
“A powerful piece about family that will leave a lingering impression if not an ache in the heart...The cast comprises only five performers...all notably skilled actors...Reeves’s choice to make this a story-in-a-story at first seemed awkward and unnecessary, but by play’s end it’s the relationship established in those first minutes that connects Shakespeare’s story with the audience, making it living and visceral...A surpassingly good piece of independent theater.” Full Review
"The story takes off far beyond the simple reading of the text. It takes us to places and times with an ease...The creative team, the cast, and the director all work wonders balancing the mythical fantasy and the reality of these four mourners with a perfectly timed expertise...Thanks to some inventive direction wonderfully executed by the creative team and cast, we are given a solid charmer of a play." Full Review
"One of the biggest payoffs for this intimate approach comes when the show complicates Pericles' climactic reunion in a clever and emotionally powerful way. On a lighter note, it also allows amusing speculation for the audience...The cast play their multiple roles with aplomb...'Pericles: Born in a Tempest' is lively, funny, and affecting: a great opportunity to hear an old song newly sung." Full Review
“A play within a play, 'Pericles' is stripped to the essentials with a reimagining of a seafarer’s adventure...Reeves’ concept and direction, along with the design team, was thoughtful, creative and respectful of the space...Together, all the elements of the production (sound, projection, lighting, costumes) created a subtext that allowed the story to unfold. This was a well-crafted production with talented cast to support it.” Full Review
See it if Modern & energized adaptations of Shakespeare with original language. Superbly staged w exuberant tech & acting. Never dull. Want more!
Don't see it if mucking about with Shakespeare offends you. The story is non linear & choppy but this group pulls it together brilliantly. Go see them!
See it if You’d like to see a more modern take on Pericles. The actors are excellent. I enjoyed the staging. Good production.
Don't see it if The original text will bother you.I found the device structuring play confusing.That needs lots of work. Theatre group needs a better venue.
See it if you want an innovative take on Pericles, Prince of Tyre, well acted
Don't see it if you don't like Shakespeare. Wear warm clothes: the theater was virtually unheated.
See it if you want to see an interesting interpretation of one of Shakespeare's lesser produced works
Don't see it if you only enjoy full productions of Shakespeare. This one is cut to 90 minutes with only five actors
Also The actors do a masterful job of playing multiple characters. The dire... Read more Read less
See it if You want to see a superb adaptation of Shakespeare's Pericles
Don't see it if you don't like excellent theatre
See it if you want to see a brilliantly innovative production of PERICLES. The play-within-a-play concept is executed with delightful ingenuity.
Don't see it if you are not a fan of Shakespeare.
See it if You want to see a revamped tale from Shakespeare. You want to see a story from a dead narrators perspective. Also great graphics.
Don't see it if You are a Shakespeare purist. Although traditional dialogue is used, the costumes are not.
See it if you’ll watch a small troupe’s valiant, thoughtful effort at making Pericles engaging; you can wait until the very end to be drawn in.
Don't see it if you‘re hoping for “translated” Shakespeare. This is Shakespeare’s text and closer to Pericles than I expected—but abbreviated & rearranged.
Also I really want to give a higher score since the effort is so apparent a... Read more Read less
See it if Staging is very imaginative & effective-projections, physicality, color coordinated costumes, etc.Some terrific performances(esp K.Metzger)
Don't see it if One very weak actor and one overblown scene by another kind of killed this play for me. +I didn't understand the device framing the play
Also Although part of this is set in contemporary times (not sure why) all ... Read more Read less
See it if you want Pericles made accessible by significant trimming. Well-spoken WS, well-acted. Imaginative. clever direction. Hard-working cast.
Don't see it if you expect a highly polished piece. Broad portions (eg the suitors' battle) undermine the flow. Framing device takes up too much time/space.
Also I liked this production, but I found the framing device intrusive. I'm... Read more Read less
See it if very good take on Shake's classic; funny, sad, well acted.
Don't see it if no reason; anyone would enjoy this even if you don't know the Shake's play
See it if You want a streamlined, modern take on Shakespeare. You want to see a classical play performed by a well-trained cast.
Don't see it if You want to see the full, uncut, 5-act version of Pericles. You don't like intimate spaces & a small cast playing multiple roles.
See it if you like a modern adaptation of a play attributed in part to Shakespeare imbedded in contemporary plot, art video, creative staging/action
Don't see it if you prefer musicals, can't sit 90 min. or understand Elizabethan English even if articulated slowly, or you dislike adaptations of classics
See it if You like to see actors playing many different roles. The use of the prop playing the fake baby is the best I have seen
Don't see it if You’re like me and have never been able to understand anything this Shakespeare idiot has ever done. Why do people pretend they like this?
Also This is more of a negative review on me than the play. Apparently I am... Read more Read less
See it if you are able to delve into the characters's feeling down deep
Don't see it if if you expect to see a straight, no-nonsense drama
See it if You like well acted Shakespeare with a modern framing device
Don't see it if only like traditional Shakes. Or don't like Shakes at all.
See it if you like classic plays staged in classic ways yet with excellent innovations in said staging
Don't see it if you only want completely serious Shakespeare, without, say, a well-placed Batman cameo
Also I'm typically skeptical of tech in theatre, but this show did an excel... Read more Read less
See it if You like small well crafted shows. You love Shakespeare but aren't wedded to the text and appreciate a cleverly redone rollicking tale.
Don't see it if You don't appreciate good acting, can't bear Shakespeare, 90 minute shows or small off beat venues.
See it if you love Shakespeare's beautiful poetry. Want to be 'in the know' regarding a great, small indie show. This show surprised me.
Don't see it if you care about being in a nice new theater. This show is in a church on the UWS. Bathrooms in basement, box office is a table in the hall...
See it if you've wanted a chance to see Pericles but don't want to see a 3 hour version
Don't see it if You want to bring your Complete Works and follow along
See it if big long Shakespeare plays scare you away.
Don't see it if you hate earnest shows with some silliness thrown in.
See it if you love Shakespeare and are up for something a little different.
Don't see it if you are looking for a big budget show with celebrities. need to be in a fancy theater.
See it if You like projections. You enjoy a small company of actors working together to tell a giant story in a simple way.
Don't see it if You don't want to see off-off-broadway. Can't forgive a little messiness and silliness.
Cast & Creatives (15)
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