Othello - review

[Jane Zussman]

Thanks to Reviewer Charlotte Orzel

O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on;

Othello, Act 3, Scene 3

Othello is a "Moor" from North Africa, who has risen through the ranks to become a major general in the Venetian Army. An outsider and underdog made good, Othello has it all: ihe prestigious job, the admiration of his peers, and marriage to a senator's daughter, Desdemona. 

The story begins when Iago, whom Othello passed over to be his second in command in favor of Cassio, and Rodrigo, Desdemona's rejected suitor, plot to take down Othello, Desdemona and Cassio in revenge. 

The MSU Theatre production, directed by Ji Won Jeon, pierces the formality of Shakespeare's text with emotion and inventiveness. The play is set in a volcano, designed by Ranae Selmeyer. Iago and Rodrigo are at the bottom surrounded by lava and cratered rocks, stewing in their own rage, while the innocent Othello, Desdemona and Iago's wife Emilia live in the foreground, with healthy flora and fauna, unaware of the intentions of their closest allies. 

The sound design is an ominous soundscape, amplifying further as the plot moves forward. The cast packed incredible energy to every line in its three-hour run time, which the audience enjoyed. In the lobby of the Pasant theatre is a playful display by Ashley Romo of the design concepts, historical context and text interpretation, much appreciated by Shakespeare fans!   

Othello, played Chisom Anwunah, portrays the honesty and vulnerability needed to convey the depth of betrayal by Iago, played so villainously and ruthlessly by Andrew Keller. Their chemistry is matched by Rileigh Belle Wine as Desdemona, Hugh Watters as Cassio, Lexa Busch as Emilia, and Nick Torres as Rodrigo.   

Othello is one of Shakespeare's best known plays, as it is so easily relatable and re-tellable. We've all felt the pain of jealousy, someone else getting what we thought we deserved. But we know better than to be that guy, who destroys everything and everyone good out of spite. What the audience gains from this tragedy is the realization that we can rise above our worst nature; life isn't fair and we don't always get what we want. We can, and will, get along. I will never get tired of seeing Shakespeare. As live theatre itself, it will survive the death of Hollywood, AI and societal collapse. If aliens arrive and we need to justify the existence of our species, a Shakespeare play is not a bad idea. 

Othello by William Shakespeare
Directed by: Ji Won Jeon
Location: Pasant Theatre, Wharton Center
Dates: November 7 - 16, 2025

Tickets: https://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/othello

Jane Zussman

G.L.U.T. List

(Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre)

cell 517-930-0932

JSZu...@gmail.com

http://www.greaterlansingtheatre.net 

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