Hot, Powerful "Othello" at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival

Scholars have debated for centuries exactly why Iago does what he does in Shakespeare's "Othello." When Othello asks his former ensign for the motive behind his crimes, Iago refuses to say. His answer: "What you know, you know. From this time forth I never will speak word."

By that point, what we know is very, very nasty. In one fell swoop, he has poisoned Othello, a successful general, against his wife, lovely and virtuous Desdemona, and removed Michael Cassio, his rival for the rank of lieutenant. Staging a drunken brawl works perfectly to stain Cassio's reputation, and pushing his wife, Emilia, to steal an important handkerchief from Desdemona, thereafter planting it in Cassio's room, is just the ticket to inflame Othello with suspicions of an affair between Desdemona and Cassio. With that in motion, Iago takes delight in the fact that Othello is crazed with jealousy, Cassio is ruined, and Desdemona is besmirched in her husband's eyes.

So is Iago just plain evil, spinning schemes for the fun of it? Clearly he's angry about Cassio's promotion, but he could've just gotten rid of him without all the attendant mayhem. Why go to the extent he does? Why use his wife and his friend Roderigo as pawns, letting them suffer without a second thought? Is he seething with envy over Othello's prowess as a military man and the acclaim he's received from the Duke of Venice? Seething with racism and fury that a Moor with dark skin has not only triumphed as a leader but nabbed a prize like the lily-white Desdemona? Or all of the above?

For the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, director John Sipes and his Iago, played by Matt Penn, err on the side of insanity. We see Penn's Iago forge his diabolical plans with passion and even a hint of frenzy, compulsively running his hands over his neck and chest, making it all very personal and quite creepy. It may've been more of a factor of the recent heatwave, but the fact that this Iago seemed to be reveling in the feel of his own sweat certainly ramped up the creepiness.

At the onset, Daver Morrison's Othello is a proper figure to envy, magnificent in glowing green trousers and a cape designed by Helene Siebrits, every bit the confident general who believes the world (or at least Venice) is his oyster. And after Iago spins his web, as his doubts begin to cloud his brain, Morrison shows a descent into madness that is both inevitable and terrifying. As his Desdemona, Amanda Catania creates a vibrant, warm woman, one who clearly adores -- and is passionate for -- her husband.

In support, Charlie Wright does excellent work as pitiable Roderigo, Andy Talen makes for a tempestuous Cassio, and Corliss Preston is a stunner when she pulls out all the stops with her scorned and scornful Emilia.

Sipes has also staged some scary, shadowy fights, while Michael Rasbury's moody musical compositions set the proper tone.

All in all, the ISF "Othello" is powerful and hot-blooded, disturbing and passionate.

OTHELLO
By William Shakespeare

Illinois Shakespeare Festival
at Ewing Manor

Director: John Sipes
Costume Designer: Helen Siebrits
Scenic Designer: John Stark
Lighting Designer: Julie Mack
Composer/Sound Designer: Michael Rasbury
Stage Manager: Sara Bubenik
Voice/Text Coach: Kevin Rich
Fight Director/Choreographer: Alex Miller
Dance Choreographer: Greg Merriman

Cast: Matt Penn, Charlie Wright, Henson Keys, Dylan Paul, Nick Demeris, Daver Morrison, Andy Talen, Michael Gamache, Andrew Rogalny, Jr, Zack Powell, Devon Nimerfroh, David Sitler, Alexander Pawlowski IV, Amanda Catania, David Price, Corliss Preston and Kate McDermott.

Remaining performances: June 30; July 5, 7, 13, 15, 21, 25, 28 and 31; August 3 and 9.

For ticket information, click here.

Garden Party! Friday at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival

It's opening night for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival production of "Othello" Friday the 29th. That's exciting enough, but the ISF is also hosting a special reception before the show.

This Garden Party (and if you've been to Ewing Manor, you know exactly how lovely their gardens are) begins at 6 pm on Friday night. The festivities include wine, lots of hors d'oeuvres that we are told are bountiful enough to qualify as dinner, plus some special silent auction items that were still being put together as I write this. But I heard mention of some seriously cool items that you won't get at any other silent auction. That's if, of course, it all comes together as is being planned right this very minute.

Tickets are $75 and they include a premium ticket with VIP parking privileges to "Othello" on the 29th or a voucher for another night of your choice.

So, yes, $75 is more than you would normally spend for a ticket to the Festival, but it comes with food and wine and maybe even a chance to take home some special Illinois Shakespeare Festival-themed items, plus a performance of "Othello" directed by former Festival Artistic Director John Sipes and starring Daver Morrison and Amanda Catania. And you get to go home with the good feeling of having contributed to this fundraiser for a very worthy cause -- keeping us all supplied with more Shakespeare.

Current Artistic Director Deb Alley has indicated that this "Othello" will keep the Renaissance setting it was born with, as Othello the Moor, a great and powerful general, finds himself eaten alive with jealousy over his beautiful Italian bride, Desdemona. There is betrayal here, but it comes from Othello's aide, Iago, who plots against his general and against Cassio, the new lieutenant named in what Iago feels should be his place. So Iago tries to make Othello believe that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio, both to get rid of Cassio and to drive Othello insane.

Let's just say that Iago's plot, with its machinations involving ladies-in-waiting and handkerchiefs, succeeds quite well, driving a bulldozer right through the center of Othello's and Desdemona's lives. He's a wicked man, that Iago, and one of Shakespeare's most memorable characters.

You can see all that drama AND eat your fill of tasty treats, drink a little wine, and enjoy the beauty of Ewing Manor, all for $75. It's a wonderful way to start (or continue) your summer theatrical season.

Click here to read about the Garden Party night and make plans for more Shakespeare at Ewing manor. And, as always, find out more about all of this at TheFestival.org

Shake Up Your Summer With Shakespeare and Sheridan at the ISF

Although it has been feeling like summer lately, the midsummer tradition that is the Illinois Shakespeare Festival still seems far away. Yeah, well, it's not. In fact, four weeks from tonight, on June 28, the ISF summer season will open with a backstage tour, some jazz in the courtyard and the official opening night of "As You Like It."

That means you are well-advised to make reservations now if you want those cool Platinum Plus seats, which come with a free (non-alcoholic) beverage, premium parking, and the ability to exchange your tickets if you feel like it.

This summer's line-up, which they're billing as "a season of LOVE, LIES, DECEIT, AND SECRET IDENTITIES," goes with 2 Shakespeare and 1 Other, with "As You Like It" opening on the 28th, "Othello" on the 29th, and the third choice, the delightful comedy "The Rivals," written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan and first performed in 1775, bowing July 19th. This year's Theatre for Young Audiences choice, "The Comedy of Errors," begins on Wednesday, June 11th, with a 10 am performance.

The poster art for "As You Like It" would seem to indicate that they're emphasizing the Forest of Arden/Leafy Green aspect of the show, and Rosalind, the heroine who dresses as a boy when she goes on the lam in that very forest, looks like she's dressed in 20th century garb. The 30s, maybe? Of course, the poster may be a complete misdirect, even though the people in the picture have been identified as Gracyn Mix and Dylan Paul, and he is definitely playing Orlando. Paul was Romeo last year at the Festival, in case you saw that and remember his good looks and athletic performance.

"Othello" looks more Elizabethan as represented here. And a lot scarier, as it should. The actors in this banner are Daver Morrison and Amanda Catania, who will be presumably playing Othello and his ill-fated bride Desdemona for Shakes Fest this summer. One other fun fact about the production: Former Artistic Director John Sipes will be returning to the Festival to direct it.

And "The Rivals" looks properly late-18th century, what with the powdered wig and the frock coats, not to mention the weaponry. I remember a production of "The Rivals" at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival years ago, and it was one of the funniest and best things I've seen there. It offers excellent roles for both men and women, with pretty Lydia Languish and handsome Jack Absolute as the lovers thwarted by her guardian, Mrs. Malaprop, and his rivals for her affections, Bob Acres, a country squire, and Lucius O'Trigger, a hot-headed Irishman. This time, the actors in the poster are Alexander Pawlowski and Dylan Paul. Paul is almost certainly Jack Absolute, with Pawlowski as Bob Acres, perhaps.

In addition to the Theatre for Young Audience shows, the Festival also offers pre-shows, jazz music, different backstage tours, catered box suppers, ice cream socials and post-show discussions. As well as, of course, a stroll around the lovely grounds of Ewing Manor.

Although not much info regarding the casts or crews of the shows has been released as of yet, you can keep an eye on the Illinois Shakespeare Festival Facebook page for updates.