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OTHELLO never quite fit in – he is the overachiever with the confusing ethnic and spiritual heritage, but when his military genius takes him all the way to the top brass of Venice, he seems well enough established, well enough accepted, and well enough adapted. But this being one of Shakespeare’s tragic masterpieces, we enter OTHELLO’s world just when it is about to come apart:

Single into midlife, he stuns society by marrying DESDEMONA, a friend’s young (and very white) daughter; at the same time, he is put in charge of the Venetian forces assigned to stabilize occupied Cyprus.

And while Othello and Desdemona are only beginning to build their unusual marriage, they walk into the shadow of the officer IAGO:

“Who before Iago, in literature or in life, perfected the arts of disinformation, disorientation, and derangement? All these combine in Iago’s grand program of uncreation, as Othello is returned to original chaos, to the Tohu and Bohu from which we came.” (Harold BLOOM, Shakespeare. The Invention of the Human)

Lead parts in OTHELLO will be played by Beatty BARNES, Ed PALMER and Ramsey HANKS; the designers are Matthew GORRIS, Astin JONES, William McGHEE and Jonathan POMINVILLE; the director is Gerald SCHWARZ. For complete casting information, check the OTHELLO Artists link on the sidebar.

Exact showdates are available in the OTHELLO Performance Dates link on the sidebar; ticket prices are $ 8 for discounted audiences (students, military, senior citizens…) or $ 15.

Location: The Barry Robinson Theatre and Fine Arts Center is located at the Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School, 4552 Princess Anne Road, in Virginia Beach, about 5 minutes South of the Princess Anne Road/Witchduck Road intersection. Please do NOT confuse this with the Barry Robinson Centers on North Center Drive or Kempsville Road.

For reservations for the performances on February 6, 7, 8, 13, 14,

15, 20, 21 and 22, call 418-6461. We will donate proceeds from the matinees on February 8 and 15 to OASIS Catholic Charities in Portsmouth. And the performance on Valentine’s Day (Saturday, February 14) is dedicated to all (SHAKESPEARE and other) lovers: Bring your loved one, or the one you want to fall in love with you, or the one who likes you enough to pretend to be in love with you for the price of a theatre ticket… and receive 2 tickets for the price of one!

The High School matinees on February 12 and 17 are great opportunities to experience a powerful classic play in a decidedly contemporary interpretation; Missy Cotter SMASAL (dirofed@elizabethrivertheatre.com, or cell 572-2812) is happy to talk to educators and students; but both dates are filling up fast, so don’t wait!