We asked The Smith Center, which originally presented Teller’s production. Smith Center PR guru Sara Gorgon wrote us back: "Sadly, The Tempest is not slated for a return to Las Vegas nor The Smith Center, at this time. It ran in Cambridge and Orange County after Las Vegas and I don’t have info on another engagement at the moment. Personally, I’d love to see it return again."
Initially performed in a custom-made tent, Teller’s version of Shakespeare’s valedictory play moved indoors for subsequent engagements. For those who didn’t see it, songs by Tom Waits were interpolated into the play, as were feats of illusion created by sleight-of-hand maestro Johnny Thompson, including levitation and – as the opening gambit -- card tricks. Contortionists were employed to play Caliban as a "double-headed, double-jointed monster."
Los Angeles Times reviewer Charles McNulty reported, "Visually, this Tempest is a stunner. The production is also marvelous to listen to, with music director Miche Braden and Liz Filios providing gritty vocals to Waits and Brennan's darkly meditative songs about death and dirt." He was less impressed with Aaron Posner’s direction – working from Teller’s overarching concept -- describing it as "a production that doesn't have all that much faith in Shakespeare's ability to captivate a modern audience." He concluded, For those who need their Shakespeare administered with spoonfuls of sugar … this production will delight."
Forbes’ David Hochman took a far more favorable view, writing that the "bard would have loved this version … run, levitate or use whatever magic is necessary to see it before the show vanishes." He concluded that Teller & Co. had made The Tempest, "a 400-year old play feel as alive and relevant as if it were written today. ‘Rough magic’ by way of practice, passion and precision."
