What a wonderful show. The use of the images on the back screen brought both the real- and the spirit-world of the play to a level I had never experienced in the two other times I’ve seen this play. Without question this is the best version of The Tempest most theatregoers will see in their lifetimes. But it is not just because of the technical excellence. I have told you many times before that Jobsite provides the experiences that make us love the theatre. Jobsite’s The Tempest shows us why art matters. Everything comes together in this show to deliver us the full meaning of Picasso’s insight: Art is the lie that brings us the truth. Prospero is a truer character as a mother. Miranda is better understood as having spent 20 years with her than how she might be having spent the same time with a father. This also makes the meeting of Ferdinand make more sense—he is the first man she’s ever seen. Performances, too, make the art here remarkable. Katrina and Giles always go fully into their roles, but this show brings levels of their skill we had not seen before. The continual low guttural vocal quality of Caliban gives an otherworldly element to his character, and the grace of Ariel on her silks was spectacular. I cannot imagine how she maintained that physical work and didn’t lose her breath to speak. They were both better than I had ever seen them. Roxanne, as always, was poised as Prospero, and, especially from our seat, engaged her face and eyes with precision at every conversational moment. Every word she speaks sounds as natural as if it is coming from her mind brand new, like actual conversation. She also was excellent. (I see in the playbill that she was once Nurse Ratched. That must have been one scary performance!) The comic elements were also terrific: Brian and Derrick are very good in those roles, but this is the first time we’ve seen Ward Smith, and his Stephano was lively and properly tempered. That I’ve left out some names is not to mean they did not delight. This was an ensemble of excellence. Thanks for this. We always enjoy our nights at Jobsite, but last night Cheryl and I were thrilled from the storm to the Epilogue. I will tell all of my friends. – Ben and Cheryl Graffam

the whole family saw the transcendent preview of this thing Wednesday night. It’s … Well, it’s sorta … I can’t even … describe it. It’s the f*cking Tempest and it’s pure solid blue magic. Get your tickets now — this one’s gonna sell out once the word of mouth gets cooking. – Ned Averill-Snell

We saw the show Sunday and were absolutely enthralled! Roxanne M. Fay as Prospero is a role she was born to play! Giles Davies as Calaban was wonderful and Katrina Stevenson aerial performance was nothing short of breathtaking! Here’s hoping for continued sell outs! – Lori Pate

What an absolutely wonderful performance. I was fortunate enough to see this last weekend with my good friend, Caroline Jett. If I had the time, I would have LOVED to see it again. Giles, your athleticism was amazing to behold. Emily, your innocence was beautiful and touched me. To the rest of the cast…just wow. What a masterpiece!! – Monica Tellez-Daly

Set design, lighting, sound, projections, costumes, acting! What a fantastic production! – Melissa Salazar (@monkeysue1278)

From movement to meter, nobody beats @jobsitetheater when it comes to Shakespeare! Another fabulous production, making the Bard accessible to Tampa Bay through Feb 11. – stephemera (@stephemera)

Bravo, @jobsitetheater – Julie (@Julie_in_FL)

The show was magical! – Monica Cross (@theroaringgirl)

solutely amazing – some of the best theater in Tampa Bay this season – Do Not Miss This!!! – Frank Wells (@imfmw3)

Just… wow. So good. – Becca McCoy (@ActorBeccaMcCoy)

the kids had a great time today. They really loved it. Thanks so much. – james durban (@Conduitlife)

FANTASTIC PRODUCTION! Great job everyone! – @jbsmom2003

Thank you for a lovely experience and thank you for doing Shakespeare.

Jobsite rocked it … again! I am always so proud to see my talented, SUPER talented friends in action. The Tempest is worth seeing y’all  ’s freakin’ Shakespeare…go! And Katrina Stevenson? Just go people. – Jonathan Harrison

It was fantastic, man – truly! Congratulations! – Ryan Sturm

Tonight, I saw the best show that I have seen so far at Jobsite. I have been coming to see shows here for six years, and while I love all of the shows they do, this one was on a totally different plain. It was truly magical. I laughed so hard I cried, and I was moved to tears as well, especially at the end. I didn’t want it to be over. This is why I’m an actor, so that I can create in my work even a tenth of the verve, energy, charisma, humor, and pathos that was present on that stage tonight. To everyone who was in the show and worked on it, I am proud to know you and I am so proud of you. From the bottom of my heart, bravo, and have an exceptional run. You deserve every standing ovation I know you’re going to get. – Julia Rudgers

I have always loved The Tempest and have never seen it performed until tonight. Jobsite Theater’s production is nothing short of magical. Katrina Stevenson can not only CRUSH Shakespeare but she can do it upside down, dropping from the ceiling, covered in Unicorn Snot because she is a super human. This cast/production was marvelous and you should totally go see it. – Colleen Cherry

Go see this!  Congrats to the magical cast and crew! – Zachary Hines

Absolutely beautiful production. Congratulations – Alan Mohney, Jr.

DUDES. This was an incredible piece of art. Go see it. You can thank me later. – Victoria Rios

We saw the show on Saturday night and loved it! Roxanne Fay commands the stage as Prospero with the support of an outstanding cast. We especially loved the acrobatic artistry of Katrina Stevenson as Ariel and Giles Davies otherworldly take on Calaban! This is definitely a must see! – Michael Alford

I really enjoyed Jobsite Theater’s The Tempest, which, appropriately, I saw on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The visual media, the music, and the set all conspired to take the viewer to a mystical place, but, as in all good plays, the ensemble did the heavy lifting. Giles Davies’ Caliban wasn’t heavy and bound to the earth as some Calibans I’ve seen – rather, his ‘mooncalf’ was a sinewy creature, at once goat and monkey and, as fits the tone of the piece, more whimsical than threatening. When I heard that Katrina Stevenson would be performing a very aerial Ariel, I was just a bit skeptical – my wife is an aerialist of no small talent and I have some idea how demanding that craft is; would the circus arts hijack the story? Would she have enough breath to voice Ariel’s exquisite lines while posed, after climbs and controlled falls? I was thrilled and amazed at just how well she did exactly that – if I felt ambiguous about the decision to record and broadcast the spirit’s songs, that’s a small price to pay for an Ariel who not only radiates magic and goodwill but actually *fucking flies.* She might have stolen the show had not Roxanne Fay turned in such a solid, layered, engaging Prospero. Her ‘witched’ wizard could have been distracting or self conscious, but in her steady hand it was neither of those things. There’s something maternal about Prospero as written, and this helps the alchemy, but Fay’s performance deserves the ultimate credit for making the gender switch seamless; her Prospero is, at turns, warm, threatening and melancholy, but always compelling. Kudos to director David Jenkins for bringing this all together so well. One of Jobsite’s best. You still have a few opportunities to see this show – don’t miss out, or you’ll deserve your cramps. – Chris Buehlman

Can’t wait to see it again! – @dolcepane