Othello

* = Post show discussion 
(407) 447-1700 ext. 1    

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Pictured left:Sarah Hankins (Desdmona), Eric Hissom (Iago), Esau Pritchett (Othello)
Pictured right:Sarah Hankins (Desdemona)

The Cast

Othello - Esau Pritchett*
Brabantio - Mark Brotherton*
Iago - Eric Hissom*
Roderigo - Chris Taylor
Cassio - Timothy Williams*
The Duke of Venice - Suzanne O'Donnell*
Senator - Becky Fisher
Desdemona - Sarah Hankins*
Montano - Becky Fisher
Officer #1 - Mark Brotherton
Officer #2 - Chris Taylor
Emilia - Suzanne O'Donnell*
Bianca - Becky Fisher
Lodovico - Mark Brotherton*
Servant #1 - Timothy Williams*
Servant #2 - Becky Fisher
Servant #3 - Sarah Hankins*

* Courtesy of Actor's Equity Association

REVIEWS

Shakespeare's Othello Haunts in Superbly Acted Orlando Shakespeare Festival Production

TalkinBroadway.com
Excerpts from the review my Matthew MacDermid

Celebrating their 15th season, the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival has come a long way from playing the Bard in the park. With their beautiful facilities in Loch Haven Park, the company has three spaces in which they present classic theater and children's theater. They still do a spring production at the 950-seat Walt Disney Amphitheatre at Lake Eola, but they also have two intimate spaces within their building, called the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, in Loch Haven Park: the 300-seat Margeson Theatre, and the 120-seat Goldman Theatre. Othello, which opened February 26th and runs through March 28th, plays the Goldman space, bringing the action very close to the audience, oftentimes making the action too close for comfort.

But no one says that's a bad thing. In fact, with this production it works superbly. The brilliance of Shakespeare's poetic language is perfectly heard in this smaller venue, with the tale of Othello, the moor of Venice whose marriage to Desdemona comes to a tragic end due to the scheming of Iago, taking place within a few feet of you....  the cast is a tremendously talented group of actors. Headed by Esau Pritchett, making his OSF debut in the title role, all of the performers speak eloquently and are constantly heard and understood. Pritchett's moor is brooding and intense, with a deep resonant voice that makes the poetry sound that much more beautiful. Becky Fisher, Mark Brotherton, and Chris Taylor are wonderful in multiple ensemble roles, showing off their diverse range of skill.

The evening is owned by three actors who perform their roles with incredible passion and capability. Timothy Williams' Cassio is handsome and winning. Suzanne O'Donnell's Emilia is gorgeously, yet simply, portrayed; her final scene with Desdemona is perfectly focused, making it one of the finest performances this reviewer has had the pleasure of witnessing. But if evil can be orgasmic, it is Eric Hissom's Iago that will do it to you. Never before has there been a creepier Iago. Hissom's performance is pitch-perfect, leaving tingles of fear resonating in your body at appropriate moments. This performance alone is worth traveling many miles to see this production.

Richard Width's direction is smooth and quick, making use of the entire auditorium as well as making the evening fly by without notice. Bob Phillips' unit set is attractive and functional, but does little to suggest location. Denise Warner's costuming is pleasant to the eye, and provides a good sense of age and station. The Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival production of William Shakespeare's Othello runs through March 28th. Tickets are available by calling 407-447-1701. Further information may also be obtained by visiting www.shakespearefest.org.