It’s easy to see why the plays of William Shakespeare have survived the centuries. Their universal stories and themes seem written for today. Like the operas of Mozart and Rossini, Shakespeare’s work requires only a change of setting and costumes for an audience in 2010 to draw entertainment and inspiration from the magic of its action and ideas.

It will be even easier to find Shakespeare’s lasting wisdom in York College Theater’s very 2010 production of “The Tempest,” opening Friday at the Performing Arts Center for a six-performance run.

Director Tom Marion conjures an African homeland for the supernatural story of power and revenge. Without compromising the original rhythm of its language, York’s “Tempest” uses traditional African storytelling techniques including masks and puppets – plus original music by Atiba Kwabena-Wilson and choreography by Folakemi Aiyedun and Colette Livingston.

It also uses an inspired company of actors, designers and behind-and-above-the-stage technicians. With more than three months of work behind them and dress rehearsals giving way to paying customers, the company deserves to be known outside the Little Theater. 

In order of appearance:

Queens of the Sprites, Yazmin Dene Baptiste

The Ariel, airy spirit , Jada Denise Brooks, Raisia Burrell, Fabella Decema, Oyinkansola Ogunleye, Leatrice Whitney

Prospero, rightful duke, Solomon Peck

Boatswain, Phil Williams

Mariner, Kevin Gomez

Mariner, Arinze Nwogu

Master of the Shop, Freddy Gonzalez

King Alonso, Kazeem Oni

Prince Ferdinand, Emerson Sampaio

Sebastian, brother of the king, Guerschom Dieurine

Antonio, Prospero’s brother, Devon Phillips

Gonzalo, an old counselor, Leah Kesselly

Miranda, Prospero’s daughter, Olubukola Ogunmola

Caliban, son of the evil witch Sycorax, Joe Grasso

Trinculo, foolish friend of Stephano, Hopeton Allen

Stephano, drunken butler to the king, Ronald Soutar

Francisco, a king’s soldier, Bency Pierre

Adrian, a king’s soldier, Keslie Joseph

Sprites, Brian Kennedy, Michael Kennedy, Destiny Kennedy, Sabrina Raouf, Shynece Norfleet, Mikayla Gilyard, Laila Raouf

Running Crew

Wardrobe, Ivy Lagunas, Carini Perello, Freda Yeboah

Assistant stage manager, Earline Stephens, Alexander Constantinides

Light board operator, Kevin King Jr.

Front of house, Tim Amrhein

Poster and cover design, David T. Jones

Creative Team

Production stage manager, Jessica Pecharsky Morales

Scenic design, David T. Jones

Costume design, Allison Crutchfield

Lighting design, Paul Hudson

Technical direction, Robert Barnes

Mask and puppets, Tom Marion

Music, Atiba Kwabena-Wilson

Choreography, Folakemi Aiyedun, Collette Livingston

Musicians, Atiba Kwabena-Wilson, Tom Whitney

One word after seeing a pair of final rehearsals: Buy your tickets early. When one of these people breaks through to a major stage career, you are going to want to be able to say you saw her in “The Tempest” at York College.

York College Department of Performing and Fine Arts presents “The Tempest,” directed by Tom Marion. April 30, 4 p.m.; May 1, 2 p.m.; May 4, noon; May 7, 7 p.m.; May 8, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.