Deep Dish Announces OTHELLO, 5/6-5/29

Passion and envy incite a deadly duel for center stage in Shakespeare's Othello, presented by Deep Dish Theater Company May 6 to May 29. The classic tragedy, directed by Paul Frellick, concludes the company's tenth season at University Mall.

"We're looking at the play through the prism of a late 20th Century military culture," said Frellick. "The bonds between many of the characters were forged on the battlefield, and the ferocity of those bonds, which have continued into civilian life, makes possible the events of the play."

When Othello (Gil Faison), a Moor and rising star in the Venetian army, appoints Cassio (Ryan Brock) as his Lieutenant, he unknowingly spurs his close ensign, Iago (David Henderson), to retaliation. Furious for being overlooked, Iago plots to destroy Othello by revealing his secret marriage to Desdemona (Miranda Kahn) and exploiting his jealous nature. Shakespeare's crafty villain will stop at nothing to succeed, and everyone will pay the price. The cast also includes David McClutchey as the spurned lover Roderigo, Mary Forester as Iago's long-suffering wife, Tom Marriott as Desdemona's outraged father, as well as Eric Swenson, Rajeev Rajendran, Anusha Sethuraman, Jonathan Leinbach and Doug Lally.

Othello's talented design staff includes Michael Allen (set), Elizabeth Grimes-Droessler (lights), Rob Hamilton (costumes), Devra Thomas (properties), and Ross White (sound). Ramona Traynor will stage manage.

The theater will present post-performance discussions on Sunday, May 15 (with the cast and director), Thursday, May 19 (a "Meet the Designers" discussion with the production staff), Sunday, May 22 (with Darren Hearn of the Durham VA Medical Center) and Thursday, May 26 (with Ret. USAF Major Gen. Charles Dunlap). Dramaturg John Harris will give a pre-show "Meet the Play" talk on Friday, May 13, at 7 p.m. The Deep Dish Book Selection, Homer's Odyssey, will be discussed on Monday, May 23 at 7 p.m. at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill.

Performances begin Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday (matinee) at 2 p.m. There will be no show May 14. Deep Dish is located in Chapel Hill's University Mall, on Estes Drive and US 15-501.

Tickets are $19 for adults and $17 for seniors regularly, with a $2 discount for Wednesday and Thursday shows. Student tickets for all performances are $12. Wednesday, May 11 is "Cheap Dish Night" - all tickets are $9 (no reservations accepted). Tickets may be purchased at the Deep Dish box office in University Mall, Wednesday to Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m., at www.deepdishtheater.org, or by calling (919) 968-1515.

The Deep Dish Theater Company is committed to presenting compelling, human-centered dramatic work that contributes to the cultural richness of the Triangle area and challenges audiences to explore concerns of the community and the world-at-large.

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