Lucid Stage continues its unique interpretation of the Shakespeare play “The Tempest” through March 4. Lucid Stage’s Adam Gutgsell directs this steam-punk version of the oft-told story of Prospero, the one-time Duke of Milan who was cast out and now is master of a dark and mysterious island.

“It’s an interesting aesthetic, and I felt it was appropriate for this show,” says Gutgsell. “You’ve got this dark, weird little island that is out of place and out of time. I wanted to go in a much darker direction than oftentimes we see ‘The Tempest’ done. The script lends itself to that approach. You have all these fairies and little goblin guys.”

With its themes of revenge and anger, “The Tempest” already trends dark. Gutgsell accentuates the dark, with a twist at the end. Prospero, played by Hal Cohen, is a conflicted character. In the end, does he forgive those who have wronged him, or does he go through with his revenge plot?

“I thought it would be more interesting to find out what happens if he doesn’t forgive him,” Gutgsell said.

Other principals in the cast include Seth Berner and Kathryn Perry.

It’s on stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Feb. 26, and runs through March 4 at Lucid Stage, 29 Baxter Blvd., Portland. Tickets cost $15 for adults, and $10 for students and seniors. Call 899-3993 or visit lucidstage.com.

Freeport Factory Stage, 5 Depot St., continues its run of the Jeri Pitcher-directed “The Glass Menagerie” for one more week, through Saturday. This is an iconic piece from playwright Tennessee Williams, who wrote the play as a love letter to his sister Rose, who suffered from mental illness.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets cost $19 ($15 for seniors, children to age 18 and college students with current ID). All Thursday performances are “pay-what-you-can,” and can be reserved by calling 865-5505.


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