Othello Directed by Jane Cox As familiar as theatre audiences are with the work of Shakespeare, they will find this production fresh, new (a rare feat for a work centuries old), and more relevant and entertaining than ever. Get ready to see Othello like you've never seen her before. That's right, her! Directed with a contemporary twist, our production finds Shakespeare's characters transported to the modern day setting of the business world, but retains the eloquence and vitality of the bard's original work through the use of his original dialogue. In our take on this classic, Othello is a successful businesswoman who has everything: power, respect, and the love of her fair Desdemona - not to mention the contempt of the cunning, dangerous, back-stabbing, ladder climber, Iago. This powerful tale of prejudice, discrimination and jealousy takes on new relevance in this production while Americans are denied the right to openly love, and marry whom they wish. Othello is full of wit and exciting action, and with this modern interpretation, a few surprises as well. So, come see the show you've known for all these years in a whole new light.
Othello was performed on:
Saturday, January 12 and 19 at 7PM
Sunday, January 13 at 3PM
at
Sherman Recital Hall
Governors State University
1 University Pkwy
University Park, IL 60466
Director's Notes:
The seed of this interpretation sprouted while I was bemoaning the difficulty of attracting male actors to community theatre. It was my plan to stage Othello in modern day, and what better way to make the plot more relevant to our times, while also remedying the deficit of men, than to turn "Othello the Moor" into "Othello the Lesbian?"
I invite you to look beyond the surface of this production, just as we should all look beyond race, culture, gender and sexual orientation. True, the clothes are modern. True, Othello is no longer a black general, but what has really changed? The themes of prejudice, discrimination and untrue stereotypes are still there. The hatred and fear that Othello inspires comes from Othello's otherness. Does it really matter what the otherness is: race, culture, gender or sexual orientation?
When Shakespeare penned Othello, was it his intent to warn good gentlewomen not to marry outside of their culture and race; or was it to expose his culture's prejudices and fears of otherness as ignorant and erroneous? I am inclined to believe he wrote it with the latter in mind; and it is my hope that this production will shatter stereotypes regarding gay relationships, just as the original production shattered stereotypes regarding interracial marriage.
It is truly a triumph that in our society interracial marriage is, for the most part, accepted. I can only dream that years from now, the same will be said of same sex marriages. All in all, it is my hope that this production will make people think about and reflect on their own beliefs and feelings regarding so-called "unconventional" relationships.
I would like to thank all the people who made this production possible. I am truly blessed to have such a talented and hard-working cast and crew. This production has helped me grow as a director, and the knowledge I've gained is invaluable. I am so grateful to every single person who has been invovled. Lanie, you are an unbelievable actor and always a dream to work with. I have learned so much from you. Polly, I could not have asked for a more perfect Desdemona or a more vivacious person to work with. Tony, thank you so much for stepping in and for keeping me sane and organized. You have an innate gift for directing, and I hope you will do more directing in the future. Kevin, you have worked so hard and come so far. I am so proud of you. I woud also like to thank Governors State University for providing such a lovely venue for us and for supporting the Performing Arts.
Jane Cox, Director
Assistant Director's Notes
Does this tent smell of camel to you? From the read-through ("Tony, would you read Cassio's lines, too?"), to navigating the straits of anxious diplomacy ("So, do you have any notes for...your Director?"), I have been delightfully umphed and nudged into a deeper relationship with Othello than I ever anticipated.
To Jane: a hundred thanks (no, a thousand!). To my fellow cast-members: I appreciate your sharing my introduction and education in this additional role that was thrust upon me - unscripted. I hope I did not o'erstep my bounds. I am far richer for this experience.
And I am pleased and moved, beyond expression, to be part of this production.
Thanks,
Tony Shannon
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