(left to right) Desdemona, Othello, and Iago (Frannie Shepherd Bates, Anton Asuquo, and Murphy M.M. Hendy) Photo Credits: Sarah Clare Meyer

 The historic Bonstelle Theatre opens its fourth show of the season, William Shakespeare’s Othello, on Friday, March 3, 2006 at 8 p.m.

The tragedy of Othello, set in both Venice and Cyprus, follows the story of Othello, a highly esteemed general in the army of Venice. When Othello promotes the Florentine Michael Cassio to the position of his personal attendant instead of his friend Iago, Iago’s jealousy ignites a malicious campaign against the hero. Love, jealousy and rivalry collide when the noble black Moor General, Othello, is tricked into believing his wife has been unfaithful.

William Shakespeare never published any of his plays. Eighteen unauthorized versions of his works were, however, published during his lifetime in quarto editions. A collection of his works did not appear until 1623 (seven years after Shakespeare’s death on April 23, 1616) when two fellow actors, John Hemmings and Henry Condell, recorded and published 36 of his plays.

It is estimated that Othello was first performed between 1604 and 1605 and was first printed in 1622.

Othello is directed by James Luse, assistant directed by Ph.D. candidate Honey English, and stage managed by Sharon White (Warren, MI). The cast includes: Rachel Allison (Brabantia/Livonia, MI), Anton Asuquo (Othello/Detroit, MI), Daniel Burrell (Senator/Soldier/Oak Park, MI), Jessica Cermak (Cypriot Courtesan/Shelby Township, MI), Candace DeLeon (Duchess of Venice/Ecorse, MI), Christopher Dybash (Michael Cassio/Troy, MI), Murphy M. M. Hendy (Iago/ Grand Ledge, MI), Alex D. Hill (Montano/Royal Oak, MI), Jasmine McCord (Cypriot Courtesan/ Detroit, MI), Brishen Miller (Senator/Soldier/Kalamazoo, MI), LoriGoe Perez (Emilia/Sterling Heights, MI), Kristen Pickthall (Bianca/Windsor, Ontario), Will Robb (Lodovico/St. Claire Shores, MI), Frannie Shepherd-Bates (Desdemona/Commerce Township, MI), Mike Targus (Senator/Soldier/Livonia, MI), George Thorvald Wagner (Gratiano/Houghton, MI), Dan Watson (Senator/Soldier/New Boston, MI), Chin Yang (Roderigo/Warren, MI). Designers for the production include Hilberry company members Katherine Botsford (scenic design) and Liz Moore (costume design), Bonstelle company members Neil Koivu (sound design), Andrew Amis (lighting design) and Lisa Marie Rodriguez (props designer).

Othello Friday, March 3 at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 4 at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 5 at 2 p.m. Friday, March 10 at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 11 at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 12 at 2 p.m.

Othello opens at the Bonstelle Theatre at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 3 with performances on March 4, 10, and 11 at 8 p.m., and March 5 and 12 at 2 p.m. There will also be a student matinee performance on Friday, March 3 at 10 a.m. Tickets for Othello can be purchased in advance by calling the Wayne State University Theatre Box Office (located at 4743 Cass Ave. on the corner of Cass and Hancock) at (313) 577-2960 Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon until 6 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased at the door at the Bonstelle theatre, located at 3424 Woodward, beginning one hour prior to each performance. Ticket prices range from $11 - $14 with discounts available for senior citizens, students, faculty and Alumni Association members. Performance information may also be obtained by visiting the theatre’s website at www.theatre.wayne.edu.


Season sponsored by Between the Lines, Metrotimes and Dearborn Times Herald.