Friends tackling famous roles 

Shakespeare gave us mysterious gifts and I count Caliban and Ariel high among them. These inhabitants of The Tempest are open to the interpretation of actors and directors, despite being emphatically described by Prospero: he says Caliban is a monster and Ariel a sprite, but this says more about Prospero than either of them. Some of the play’s most painful conundrums center on these characters, agents of insight for us and the inevitable changes wrought on Prospero’s island. Quantum is blessed with two friends in these roles, great performer/director/choreographer Tomé Cousin (below, left) plays Ariel and multi-talented Quantum favorite Jerreme Rodriguez (below, right) is Caliban. The two know each other well; Tomé has taught Jerreme, and directed him for Quantum in The Current War.

Tomé has a storied career that includes collaboration with the likes of Pina Bausch, Martha Clark, Susan Stroman and too many international luminaries to name – and he shares memories and experiences of the Pittsburgh theater scene in the 1980’s with me – so he’s a wise Ariel, perhaps a bit world-weary. Jerreme has dazzled in demanding, often very physical roles for Quantum and other Pittsburgh companies, and is forging a national career. I’m grateful to them both as we set out to unlock the mysteries.