Perhaps the most provocative of Shakespeare's four great tragedies, Othello follows the spiraling series of events that lead an honorable Moor to become a crazed murderer. The engineer of his downfall is the hopelessly diabolical and spectacularly manipulative Iago, a supposed friend and military underling of Othello who holds a finely-tuned grudge against him because Othello appointed another man to be his lieutenant instead of Iago. Rather than confront Othello about his displeasure, Iago fuels his resentment with plans of revenge, his ability to influence the people around him and wreak havoc via well-thought-out treachery used to convince Othello that his wife is not only being unfaithful, but with the very man he promoted. Appearance versus reality and the toxicity of jealousy are a few of the themes explored in the Shakespeare play, which is produced indoors (not in the park) by American Stage; Drew Fracher directs. May 23-June 17, 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 3 and 8 p.m. Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., 211 Third St. S., downtown St. Petersburg, $22 preview (May 23-24)/$35 opening night (May 25)/$26-$32 general/$7.50 children 12 and younger (student rush tickets available 10 minutes before curtain), 727-823-7529, americanstage.org.
This article appears in May 16-22, 2007.