Hailed as the stunning climax to Shakespeare’s career, The Tempest is one of the richest treasures found in drama. His magical final play and poignant farewell to the stage holds equal measures of love, tragedy and comedy as the usurped wizard Prospero draws his enemies to an enchanted island to exact revenge, yet ultimately finds peace and the ability to forgive.

CAPA welcomes The Acting Company presentation of The Tempest to the Southern Theatre (21 E. Main St.) on Sunday, March 16, at 7 p.m.

To enter for a chance to win tickets from CityScene, click here.

Former CATCO actor Michael Stewart Allen will return to Columbus to perform the role of Caliban, the savage half-man who serves as a slave on Prospero's island. Allen was named Best Supporting Actor by The Columbus Dispatch in 2002 for his portrayal of "Russell" in The Big Slam. Other Acting Company credits for Allen include Two Gentlemen of Verona and Love, Shakespeare.

Tickets are $34 and $29 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, call 614-431-3600 or 614-469-0939.

The Tempest was written during the last phase of Shakespeare’s career, at a time when he was increasingly interested in the theme of forgiveness. In his last few plays (The Tempest, Pericles, Cymbeline, and The Winter’s Tale – often referred to as the “Late Romances”), Shakespeare turned his pen toward thoughts of healing and reconciliation. These subjects are so central to the journeys of the principle characters of these plays that some speculate the author may have been feeling a few regrets about his own life at that time.

However, The Tempest holds something for everyone — comedy, revenge, attempted murder and a love story — all controlled by a philosopher/magician against the backdrop of an island castaway scene. Supporting the story is some of Shakespeare’s most beautiful, transcendent, and emotional language, which some believe to be his personal adieu to the stage.

The Acting Company’s production of The Tempest transforms Shakespeare’s final play into deeply affecting theater. Director Davis McCallum, a cast of talented actors, and a crew of exceptional designers create a theatrical tour-de-force which captivates both young audiences and seasoned theater-goers alike.

With this presentation, The Acting Company continues its 34-year tradition of bringing touring classical productions, talented young actors, and gifted teaching artists into communities across America.