OpenStage Theatre Presents OTHELLO, 2/18-3/18

"These people aren't purely evil or innocent," says OpenStage Director Denise Burson Freestone. "Iago is one of the greatest villains ever written, yet he's also multifaceted and very human. All three major characters – Othello, Desdemona and Iago - are empathetic and you want to scream at them 'Don't do that!' As a result, Othello creates great passion and a humanness to which all of us can relate."

As with so many of Shakespeare's plays, Othello is based on a previous work. Written and first performed in 1604, the tragedy follows a tale in Cinthio's Hecatommit, which was published in 1565. What's interesting to modern audiences is how Shakespeare adapts the tale, turning a bare narrative into gripping drama.

"It's still so relevant and so modern, more than 400 years later," says Freestone. "We are presenting our production as a period piece, but it is still amazingly accessible. As with all of Shakespeare's creations, you can analyze it until you die, but Othello is most powerful when you let the experience, the characters and the language simply wash over you. Our goal is to open the door and let the power of the masterful Bard move through each the audience member."

Performances of Othello are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights from Feb. 18 to March 18; Sunday matinées at 2 p.m. on March 11 and 18; and Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23. 

Individual tickets are $22-27 for adults and $16-20 for seniors, students and groups of 10 or more. Matinee tickets are $16-20 all tickets. Tickets for FAB Friday, sponsored by Boulder Beer, at 8 p.m. on Feb. 24, are $14 and include a free beer at intermission provided by Boulder Beer.

Admission to the Pay-What-You-Can performance on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. will be by donation at the door only with no advance reservations.

Tickets are available from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, through the Lincoln Center box office at (970) 221-6730 and online at www.LCTIX.com. 

Childcare is available for the Friday March 2 and 16 performances through Young People's Learning Center,  209 E. Plum St. Call Young People's Learning Center at 970-482-1212 for childcare reservations.

An in-depth discussion, facilitated by Old Firehouse Books, will follow the Saturday, March 3, performance.

Audiences are invited to meet the cast of Othello following every performance.