Othello
What the Critics Said:
"In director Cynthia Whiteís new production of Othello, one of two shows that opened the
2004 Marin Shakespeare Festival in San Rafael, the
issues are presented sensitively enough, with a first-class Othello played by a mesmerizing Aldo Billingslea.
But this is a production that embraces Othello for what the Bard most likely intended it to be: a
grand, slightly dirty soap opera, and a white-knuckle
thriller packed with enough lies, heartless plots,
accusations of infidelity and incidents of spousal
abuse to thrill the very heart of Jerry Springer.
It's Shakespeare meets the Young and the Restless,
and it's the most entertaining production of Othello you are likely to see."
David Templeton, North Bay Bohemian
"In Othello, Aldo Billingsleaís beautifully
thought-through performance in the title role makes
sense of the Moor's fixation on the heirloom handkerchief
he'd given his wife - no mean feat."
Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle
 "Marin Shakespeare Company's Othello, directed by Cynthia White, takes
a straightforward approach to the drama for what is,
overall, a brilliant taste of pure Shakespeare...The
drama is powerful, and is matched by powerful performances.
Aldo Billingslea adds depth and nuance to his Othello...
Paul Sulzman grows into the role... As engaging as
the male actors are, the women outstrip them in energy
and verve. Jennifer LeBlanc invests Desdemona with
the right balance of girlish glee and womanly modesty...
A standout is Deborah Fink as... Iagoís admonished,
suffering wife... Still, this Othello is
riveting, the passion of the characters and the actors
blending into that rare thing: naked, primitive vulnerability
that involves those in the audience to the point of
seeing the same in themselves."
Olga Azar, Marin Scope
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