The Tempest

Reminiscent of the festival's 1998 production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," which used colorful Hindu gods and goddesses to populate that fantasy, this production of "The Tempest" lavishes with the exotic.

Balinese dancers and dragons, Indonesian shadow puppets, Bunraku puppetry and more turn an uncharted island on which Prospero and his daughter, Miranda, were marooned into an enchanted locale.

Some may balk at this bold interpretation of Shakespeare's play about the magic of sacrifice and forgiveness. But in the hands of this artistic professional company, "The Tempest" is tender and entertaining.

Tackling the unusual has become common place for director Michael Carleton. In recent years with OSF, he has wrought highly imaginative and compelling productions of "Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde," "Macbeth" and "Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus."

In the story, Prospero (William Metzo) has learned magic and creates a tempest on the sea to shipwreck the men responsible for his exile on the island. At his side is Ariel (Grace Hsu), a charmed sprite with powers who brings the men to him. One of the men shipwrecked is Ferdinand (Arik Basso), a young man who falls in love with Miranda (Sarah Hankins).

As comic relief, Stephano (an always entertaining Mark Rector) and Trinculo (deliciously understated Richard Roth) join Hissom in some riotous slapstick inspired by The Three Stooges.

Costume designer Jack Smith, who has created so many fanciful and smart costume designs, has a ball with this show. Beautiful flowing gowns, winged creatures, bells, headdresses and a magical robe glisten on stage. This eye candy works in beautiful concert with a bevy of delightful props, which we will avoid describing so the surprise won't be ruined.

Scenic designer Bob Phillips, an award-winning scenographer, turns the stage into a huge sandbox in which characters plot, scheme and do pratfalls.

You will become wowed at the visuals, entertained by the humor of Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo, and touched by the gentle relationships between Prospero, Miranda and Ariel.