Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...All in all, Antaeus's charmer delivers a diverting, if not enthralling, reimagining of a redemptive comedy. It's as much music to hear as spectacle to see. This is why the show has been extended to July 30."
LA Splash - Highly Recommended
"...Helmed by Nike Doukas, Shakespeare’s THE TEMPEST takes on a new life as a radio show with music included. Musical forays range from boisterous numbers to poignant pieces designed as nostalgic reflections of past times. When they enter, audiences are greeted by Sebastian (John Allee) pounding on the piano, Francisco (John Harvey) hitting the percussions as if he might call up the dead, and Caliban accompanying the raucous medley with his guitar. Other cast members join in with vocals, wacky dance steps, and sound makers to set the beat. In the midst of this crazed dreamtime party, Shakespeare’s tale weaves its way through the land of the fantastique."
Stage Scene LA - Highly Recommended
"...An inspired concept and flawless execution make Antaeus Theatre Company's The Tempest the most entertaining of summer treats, even for those who'd normally opt for a root canal over an evening of William Shakespeare."
ArtsInLA - Highly Recommended
"...In a time in which theater is facing serious challenges, an ambitious show such as Antaeus' superb production of The Tempest should be appreciated and supported more than ever."
On Stage Los Angeles - Highly Recommended
"...Glendale's Antaeus Theatre Company has always been innovative. Currently, in their intimate Broadway / Glendale space, Antaeus brings to life a favorite Shakespeare play of mine: The Tempest. Director Nike Doukas splashes the Antaeus stage with the energy of a perfect storm. Read the play, then!! Come prepared to sing. The magic island doesn't exactly bubble out of the roiling sea, but the bottom line is that it is a 'must see.'"
Stage Raw - Highly Recommended
"...Director Nike Doukas adds a three-piece combo and rocking beat to Shakespeare's tale of magic, revenge, and love in a production that is part musical, part radio play, and all fun. Rather than a set that depicts the play's island motif, Doukas and scenic designer Angela Balogh Calin strategically place tables - cluttered with sundry auditory devices - and a handy spiral staircase on the stripped-down stage. The cast members use handheld, standing, and table microphones as props and to deliver the tunes, dialogue, and vocal and mechanical sound effects."
Haines His Way - Recommended
"...Fun is the name of the game here and it is hard not to keep a smile on your face (behind your Covid mask) as you watch this merry band of actors cavort. To quote Miranda, “O brave new world, that has such people in’t.”"
Glamgical - Highly Recommended
"...Nike Doukas' staging of The Tempest brings forward the romance and the musicality of what is thought to be the last play Shakespeare wrote alone. The cadence of the Bard of Avon's writing is exalted in this production through the music numbers, some energetic, some balladic, just like an iambic pentameter."
The Hollywood Times - Highly Recommended
"...Although academic critics might not concur, Director Nike Doukas suggests: "You hear the language, and this is a personal play. I believe that Shakespeare was really writing about his own demise, the end of his career." Magic has its limits as does theater. In the epilogue, Prospero pleads to the audience, "But release me from my bands / With the help of your good hands," as if art were a solipsistic prison without a reciprocation from the audience. The audience rose for a standing ovation of a fine performance by an excellent troupe of actors through the magic of theatre."
