Ridgefield Playhouse Presents Othello 10/5; Full Oct. Lineup Announced

New York's the Met and London's National Theatre Live bring the best of their performances Live in HD to The Ridgefield Playhouse this fall. Diva Anna Netrebko stars with Mariusz Kwiecien in Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin onSaturday, October 5, at 12:55 p.m. Shakespeare's Othello will star Tom Robertson and Rory Kinnear on Tuesday, October 15, at 6:30 p.m. William Kentridge storms the Met in Shostakovich's The Nose on Monday, October 28, at 6:30 p.m.

For dinner-and-theater, Bernard's (22 West Lane, Ridgefield) is offering a special $45 prix-fixe menu, or a free glass of wine with dinner, before this event when tickets are presented; reservations suggested; opens at 5 p.m. Visit ridgfieldplayhouse.org for video previews of the Met Live in HD Series. These opera and NTL series are underwritten by the following supporters: Jeanne Cook, Anita and Nicholas Donofrio, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Marilyn and Joe Kreitz, Joanne and John Patrick, Starbucks Coffee, Sabina and Walter Slavin, Taylor Zemo Foundation and The Ridgefield Press. Othello is partially underwritten by The Manhattan Club. Media sponsor is WSHU.

Directed by Fiona Shaw, Eugene Onegin features Anna Netrebko and Mariusz Kwiecien as the lovestruck Tatiana and the imperious Onegin in Tchaikovsky's fateful romance. Deborah Warner's new production, set in the late 19th century, moves episodically from farmhouse to ballroom. A powerful snowstorm provides the dramatic setting for the finale. Piotr Beczala is Lenski, Onegin's friend turned rival.

Othello, newly married to Desdemona, who is half his age, is appointed leader of a major military operation. Iago, passed over for promotion by Othello in favor of the young Cassio, persuades Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair, with devastating consequences.

William Kentridge stormed the Met with his inventive production of Shostakovich's opera, The Nose, which dazzled opera and art lovers alike in its inaugural run in 2010. Now, Paulo Szot reprises his acclaimed performance of a bureaucrat, whose satirical misadventures in search of his missing nose are based on Gogol's comic story. Valery Gergiev conducts.

For tickets ($25 adults, $20 seniors/members, $15 students, $18 each for all in the series), call the box office at (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.

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