For the third annual Shakespeare in the schools program we revived a popular production of Othello that previously toured in December 2004. The story of a victorious and celebrated general brought down by jealousies induced by a psycopathic "friend" resonated with many student audiences. Like several Shakespeare tragedies, the story is peppered with some lighter and unexpected elements. Iago, though possessing an undefined evil, is funny, saracastic and energetic which at times wins him over to the audience. One departure in this production was the treatment of Desdemona. Many theatrical conventions seem to treat her more of an innocent damsel who is over taken by a powerful older man. However, several passages in the text contradict this fragile interpretation and make her a worthy counterpart in mind and spirit to her warrior husband.
All photos taken at St. Mary's High School, Jersey City, NJ
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Othello (Michael Hagins) wins the hearts and minds of his adopted home of Venice by rising through it's ranks from captured slave to general of it's armies and winning the heart and mind of Desdemona daughter of a Venetian Senator
Desdemona (Julie Anne McMillan) and Othello (Michael Hagins) elope one night with the help of two of Othello's officers Cassio and Iago. Much to the anger of Desdemona's father, Barbantio. His protests fall on deaf ears in the Senate as Desdemona chooses to stay with her new husband.
The enigmatic Iago (Jonathan Brown) broods over his hate for Othello, the moor. Though he states several reasons for hating him from suspecting Othello has slept with his wife to the promotion of a the young officer Cassio over him, his hatred takes on a pathological and evil bent. Above he fixates on his wedding ring and the supposed adultery of his wife Emilia.
Roderigo (Julio Pena), a Venetian gentleman who is a former suitor Desdemona desperately employs Iago to stop Othello from running off her.
Othello (Michael Hagins) is confronted in the street by Roderigo (Julio Pena) and an officer of Desdemona's father believeing he has kidnapped her.
As the happy couple relocate to the military installation of Cyprus, Othello and Desdemona are accompanied by Emilia (Heather Rogers) the bitter and cynical wife of Iago. One day when Desdemona drops a hankerchief, Emilia relishes the idea of taking it and presenting it to her husband in an effort to gain some pleasure in his eyes.
Above, a rarely playful Emilia (Heather Rogers) dangles an unexpected prize in Iago's (Jonathan Brown) face. He then uses the hankerchief to further his of insinuating to Othello that the young officer Cassio has been sleeping with Desdemona..
Othello (Michael Hagins) while initially joking off Iago's assertions of infidelity between his wife and Cassio, reacts violently as suspicions of the act mount and he is overwhelmed with jealousy.
Desdemona (Julie Ann McMillan) is dismayed at the suddena and shockingly cold turn of her once familar husbund Othello (Michael Hagins).
Each meeting with Iago (Jonathan Brown) pushes Othello (Michale Hagins) more and more over the edge as Iago presents supposed evidence of the infidelity through the stolen hankerchief. Above, Iago, whispers for Othello to "set things right" by strangling Desdemona in their bed.
Two wives driven together by distant husbands. The world weary Emilia (Heather Rogers) seeks to instruct Desdemona (Julie Ann McMillan) on the ways that men use women and that women have every right to use their own devices to make their own way in the world. However, the idealistic and still in love Desdemona refuses to give up on her husband and continues to feel that they will prevail.
Cassio (Chris Cusano) is attacked by the duped Roderigo (Julio Pena). Both are wounded but Roderigo is later killed by Iago, it marks the beginning of the end of Iago's evil plan.
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