Sinking teeth into ‘Othello’

TOM TITUS

“Hamlet,” “Macbeth,” even “King Lear” -- Shakespeare’s tragedies have

found ample interpretation among local college drama departments. Yet

one of the Bard’s most visceral, and most accessible for modern

audiences, has enjoyed precious little attention.

Orange Coast College is rectifying that oversight with a

full-blooded production of “Othello,” a stirring interpretation of

this tale of interracial romance destroyed by murderous jealousy that

is laced with passion and power.

Scheming and duplicity run rampant in this saga of the Moor of

Venice, a black general whose marriage to a white maiden creates a

schism among his erstwhile allies. The production, skillfully

directed by Alex Golson, offers some superior performances in nearly

all of the front ranks.

To even consider staging “Othello,” a production company must have

in its ranks a particularly proficient black actor. Orange Coast

College passes muster splendidly in this regard with James Grant, who

brings to the role layers of humanity overlaid with deep and

dangerous paranoiac suspicion as he falls victim to what his

erstwhile ally calls the green-eyed monster. Grant balances these

forces of cross-purpose with a rich and forceful performance.

The role of Iago, Othello’s trusted aide who plots his

destruction, is one of Shakespeare’s most compelling creations. Sean

F. Gray worms his way through this insidious character with a smooth,

ironic aura of villainy, resisting the more melodramatic aspects of

the part to depict a most collegial surface veneer when others are

about, but sharing his darkest thoughts with the audience when he is

alone on stage.

Desdemona, the fragile beauty who weds Othello, is interpreted

rather blandly by Danielle Louie, with little variation in character

until the play’s tragically climactic moment. More accomplished is

the robust performance of Kate McDermott as Emilia, Desdemona’s

handmaiden and Iago’s wife, who’s torn between love and honor.

David Sinatra renders a strong, earnest performance as the wronged

army lieutenant Cassio. Jason Justin is properly ineffective as

Iago’s mousy henchman Roderigo, while Dan Barnard is a capable

Brabantio, father of Desdemona.

Brock Cilley’s imposing setting, a two-sided concrete wall, gives

the production a panoramic feel. David Scaglione’s costumes fit the

period splendidly and John Kennedy’s sound designs -- various levels

and intensities of drumbeats -- punctuate the tragedy superbly.

“Othello” being rarely produced, this production should be seen by

any serious theater student or Shakespeare buff. Four centuries

later, this play still speaks powerfully to today’s audiences.

20-YEAR REUNION

Orange Coast College’s theater department will be particularly

busy next week with both the 20-year reunion of its Repertory Theater

Company on Sunday and the Rep’s annual Spring One-Act Play Festival

running Wednesday through Sunday.

The reunion, open to all former company members, will be held

following the matinee performance of “Othello” in the college’s Drama

Lab Theater. It’s free to all former Orange Coast College Repertory

students -- and they’ll also be offered fee tickets for that day’s

performance of “Othello.”

Rep alums can call (714) 432-5640, ext. 5, for more information

about the reunion.

No sooner will “Othello” be off the boards than the Repertory

Theater Company will move in for its annual one-act festival. The

one-act plays showcase the talents of the company’s student

directors, actors, designers and playwrights.

Curtain will be 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and at 2 and 7

p.m. Sunday. Call (714) 432-5640, ext. 1, for further information.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.