The West Virginia University Division of Theatre and Dance will present William Shakespeare’sThe TempestMarch 24-31 in the Creative Arts Center’s Gladys G. Davis Theatre.

Performanceswhich will feature guest artists from the Greenbrier Valley Theatre in Lewisburgbegin at 7:30 p.m. March 24, 25, 28, 29, 30 and 31. In addition, there will be a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 25.

InThe Tempest,magic, fairies and a Duke’s banished court provide the background for the enchanted island of Prospero, Ariel and the fated young lovers Ferdinand and Miranda. Throw in a shipwreck, some physical comedy and a little intrigue, and you have one of Shakespeare’s most touching plays.

The Tempestis customarily identified as Shakespeare’s last stage piece. As an Elizabethan romance, it combines elements of tragedy with those of romantic comedy. It also poses deeper questions that are not completely resolved at the end. The ultimate question is one that Shakespeare posed in many of his other plays: What does it mean to be human?

Cathey Sawyer of the Greenbrier Valley Theatre is the director, and Katherine Charonko is assistant director and dramaturg.

The cast ofThe Tempestincludes Phillip Beck, WVU assistant professor of theatre, as Antonio; Jessica Morgan, WVU assistant professor of theatre, as Ariel; and Greenbrier Valley Theatre guest artist Warren Hammack as Prospero.

Designers include WVU student Trevor Bowen, costumes; Greenbrier Valley Theatre guest artist Tonry Lathroum, lighting; student Jamie Weddle, scenic design; and WVU recording technician Martin Gimenez, sound.

Technical director is WVU assistant professor Joshua Frachiseur, and stage manager is student Jessica Viers from the Greenbrier Valley Theatre.

The production ofThe Tempestis supported by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, the National Endowment for the Arts with approval from the West Virginia Commission of the Arts, and the Daywood Foundation.

The March 25 matinee performance will be interpreted for the hearing impaired. In addition, anUpfront&Backstagepre-show presentation will take place prior to the matinee. This presentation, which begins at 12:30 p.m., will allow the audience to meet the people behind the scenes, tour backstage and visit the shops where lighting, sound, scenery, props and costumes are created. The presentation will begin in the lobby of the Gladys G. Davis Theatre.

Tickets forThe Tempestare $15 for the general public and $12 for WVU faculty and staff, senior citizens, students and children. For tickets or more information, call the Mountainlair and CAC box offices at (304) 293-SHOW.