Shakespeare’s tragic tale of the esteemed General destroyed by jealousy and betrayal opened on April 11, starring Daver Morrison. OTHELLO began previews April 5, opened on April 11, and runs through May 11 on the Main Stage at Portland Center Stage in Portland, OR.
In Othello, a highly esteemed general serving the state of Venice secretly marries Desdemona, the daughter of a senator. Typical of Shakespeare, as their love is revealed, the daggers are unleashed, fueled by jealousies and personal conflicts that exploit multiple secrets compounded by a cavalcade of betrayal.
What I found most appealing about OTHELLO was its sharp and straight-forward dialogue that was easy to follow as the plot took twists and turns that were at times rather unexpected and surprising. Keep in mind that OTHELLO is a tragedy and will in no way leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
The cast of 16 handily delivers the dialogue that Shakespeare has penned, and the strength of the performances help guide us through OTHELLO’s tangled web with highly memorable work. Notably, Daver Morrison has his Portland Center Stage debut as the tragically betrayed Othello with a subtly strong performance. Othello’s wife, Desdemona, is played with confidence and charm by Nikki Coble.
Bringing OTHELLO to life is the artistry of Scenic Designer Scott Fyfe whose turntable stage (think the original London and Broadway productions of Les Miz) more than impresses, but is functional as well, making possible seamless scene transitions allowing the audience to focus without distraction. Costume Designer Susan E. Mickey, brings to life the traditional look and feel of the production, lavishly recreating the costumes worn by Shakespeare’s characters in period high-fashion.
This production of OTHELLO is not to be missed. Although not a huge “fan” of Shakespeare, I have to say that I appreciate his work, and find myself further taken with each performance I attend. The Portland Center Stage production is one that could be the tipping point for me, and others who are on the edge, that will finally turn us from mere interested parties to potential enthusiasts.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.pcs.org/othello.
