There's no better place to see a play about a magical island than in starry, forested Central Park. But even the enchanted setting of the Delacorte's Shakespeare in the Park can't save this dour "Tempest." It's not stormy at all.

Tony-nominated director Michael Greif (who directed a perfect, fiery "Romeo and Juliet" for the Public a few years ago) makes several beautiful stage pictures involving goddesses and acrobats, particularly toward the end of the show. But there's no sense of urgency in this flat, stripped-down production, and we're never spellbound.

Sam Waterson's Prospero is so one-noted and methodical that he's unconvincing as a magician who's been stewing for years over his plan to revenge himself on his brother, who stole his dukedom. Indeed, he could be ruminating over a rather dull math problem, or reading from a chemistry book. "The Tempest" has some of Shakespeare's most soaring language, but it's lost here. 

There are other odd choices as well. Ariel (Chris Perfetti), who carries out Prospero's bidding, is dressed in a leather harness and simpers along as if he's on his way to a gay club in Chelsea. The harnesses — Caliban (the wonderful Louis Cancelmi) wears one, too — are likely meant to remind us that both spirits are slaves, but surely we know that from all their kneeling and cringing and sliding across their bellies.

The two clowns, Trinculo and Stephano, played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Danny Mastrogiorgio, are the only relief. But their playfulness seems like it's part of a different production, so different is their tone from everyone else. They actually seem like they're enjoying themselves.