Regional
Othello
(Veterans Administration Center, West Los Angeles; free)
Cast: Rene Augesen (Desdemona), Jason Bernard (Othello), Simon Billig (Cassio), Ross Bolen (Clown), Ryan Cutrona (Brabantio), Kate Fuglei (Emilia), Christopher Paul Hart (Lodovico), Joe Hulser (Montano), Brian Joseph (Roderigo), Sarah Khambatta (Bianca), Aaron Mendelson (Drummer), Patrick Thomas O'Brien (Duke of Venice/Gratiano), Joseph Urla (Iago). Director Christopher J. Markle's outdoor staging of the timeless tale of love, jealousy and deceit is a clear-eyed, straightforward rendition of the play, with an outstanding performance by Joseph Urla as Iago.
Under Markle's helm, the play itself takes on a singular lightness of spirit that is unusual for productions of "Othello," which generally steer a straight course from passion to jealousy to murder. Markle sets a tone that provides a surprising number of laughs for this tragic piece.
Urla's Iago, in bright contrast to the tradition of heavy-handed villainy, is impishly evil, joyfully spreading deceit and destruction wherever he goes. His Iago is a sprightly sociopath who enlists everyone, even the audience, in his mischievous plans. While Urla's rambunctious villain threatens to steal the thunder of the doomed couple, he is tragically sobered in the end as his carefully constructed plans collapse.
Jason Bernard brings a gentle power to the role of Othello, entering with a rose, the symbol of the love that has transformed him from ruthless general to doting lover. However, Bernard never manages to transform the inner power of Othello into the violent passion that breaks out later in the play. Bernard seems to amble through the play, barely summoning the will to murder his wife and quickly dissolving with regret.
Rene Augesen also struggles as Desdemona and is never able to connect with Bernard until the final, passionate scene when she pleads for her life and her honor. Unfortunately, the role of Desdemona is forever captive to that of Othello, and Bernard's underplayed perf drags down Augesen.
Kate Fuglei is excellent as Iago's wife, delivering her final, vituperative speech in strident, vibrant tones. Brian Joseph and Simon Billig alsoare fine as Roderigo and Cassio, the foils for Iago's scheming; Sarah Khambatta does an energetic turn as Bianca.
Although the costumes by Todd Roehrman have a vaguely 19th-century feel, the production is not limited to the narrow confines of time or place, nor to the whimsical "concept" of a director.
Douglas R. Rogers' set evokes an airy lightness, with four movable pillars dominating the set in front of a large two-story grid with sliding doors.
Set, Douglas R. Rogers; costumes, Todd Roehrman; lighting , Stephen Bennett; sound, Peter Roy; fight director, Randy Kovitz. Opened July 13, 1996; reviewed July 20; runs through Aug. 11. (Citicorp Plaza, L.A., July 24 -27, free with donation of canned goods; South Coast Botanic Garden, Palos Verdes, July 31-Aug. 4, $ 15 top; Ambassador Auditorium grounds, Pasadena, Aug. 7-11, $ 25 top.) Running time: 3 hours.
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