Preview of Anticipated "Othello" Production

By Semein Washington
Rotunda ReporterArriving soon on the new Commuication Studies and Theatre stage will be Othello, Moor of Venice, who leads among William Shakespeare's work. It is one of the great plays for any troupe of actors. Where Hamlet has the trials of a young prince and King Lear the troubles of an old ruler, Othello is the tragedy of an established man. Moreover, it is the tragedy of a foreigner in a country where he has risen to exceptional rank.

It is the story of a North African immigrant made a general in Venice. He marries the daughter of a senator and leads war against the Turkish enemies of his state. However, to one man, Othello has made a mistake. He has neglected to promote his ensign Iago, and has instead given the rank to Michael Cassio. Embittered, Iago begins his plot to destroy Othello and use him as the tool to do so. He creates a fictional affair between Othello's wife Desdemona and his lieutenant Cassio. He further manipulates an admirer of Desdemona, Roderigo, until he is no longer useful. With lies spun here and there, and then with a handkerchief he pushes Othello to murder and eventual suicide.

The Longwood actors have produced a wonderful and exact performance. Brandon Carter as Othello is elegant, magnanimous, a noble lover and man of initial reason. However, when Othello's jealousy becomes uncontrollable, he is likewise ferocious. Growling for blood, he takes on the immediate character of a lion. Both enraptured and enrapturing in her passion is Jenna Hallett as the fair Desdemona. With grace, Hallett takes on the role of Othello's counterpart and expresses pure broken heartedness as she is needlessly attacked. Her death comes suddenly in the guise of an embrace.

Likewise, there are the shining performances of Brandon Lietzan and Jessi Johnson as Iago and wife Emelia. Emelia comforts Desdemona and is a woman of experience and bearing. When deception comes out, she expresses pure outrage. Iago is, at the same time, ruining Othello. Lietzan becomes a genial and ruthless predator. He kills only in the most clandestine manner and lies under a perfect mask of honesty. The acute observer will find a great deal of symmetry between these two accomplished thespians.

Michael Cassio and his enamored Bianca are Kyle Butler and Christa Brown. With casual charm and sporadic drunkenness, Cassio is the approachable scapegoat of Iago's lies. However, his relationship with Bianca is even more casual. Their exchanging love and exasperation tie into the discovery of a handkerchief with which the leading couple is crushed.

Justin Heavner plays the role of Roderigo. The brother senators, Brabantio and Grantiano, are Daniel Sweid and Tyler Reeves. The First Senator and Lodovico are Stefan Peters and Chad Ownby. Montano, former governor of Cyrus, is Ausean Williams. The third gentleman is Matt Jackson. The parts of Sailor and Director Assistant belong to Daniel Ellis. While the crew of ASMs and lighting designers are composed, in part, of Katherine Marable, Amber Lee and Skyler Broughman, the completed actions of the play can be attributed to Stage Manager Chad Charoll.

Based on a press release by Heather Swank, Othello is expected to open on Thurs., Nov. 12, running from Fri., Nov.13 to Sunday the 15 and then from Thurs., Nov. 19 to Sunday the 22. It is sure to satisfy any audience, with all the romantic and violent ingredients of good theatre. However, this classic drama is meant first for catharsis and the realization that love is aimless without trust.