Shakespeare Dallas previews and opens Othello this week

by Shawn Parikh

It's finally that time of the year again! Shakespeare Dallas is set to open their summer festival which brings the "brightest, boldest seasons to date." First up this week is Othello, which the company is presenting for the first time in 12 years at Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre. All's Well That Ends Well begins next week, and the two shows will run in repertory throughout the summer as part of their outdoor festival.

This classic tells the story of when the noble Othello’s love and devout wife Desdemona’s purity succumb to the sinister Iago’s machinations. From the elaborate setting of Carnivale to the barren isle of Cyprus, Shakespeare’s powerful drama of uncontrolled human emotion captivates audiences with jealousy, treachery, murder and love. "I chose the landscape of the early 20th century to set Othello against because I felt the mood of that time -- the decadence, the hedonism, the romance -- really accentuated the themes of the story," said Director Raphael Parry. "Othello explores societal issues that are in some ways as relevant today as they were more than 400 years ago when this play was originally written."

Othello previews June 11 & 12 and opens June 13 and continues June 22 - July 26 on Sundays, Tuesdays and Saturdays, with additional performances on June 14 & 15. Shows are pay-what-you-can Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays but a $10 donation requested. On Fridays and Saturdays, shows are $10 adults/$7 seniors and students. Make sure to bring blankets, chairs, wine, beer, alcohol, food, etc. to get maximum enjoyment.

Plus, Shakepeare Dallas is offering some great free extras: The Green Show and StageNotes. The Green Show is pre-show entertainment that is back up on the bricks. It features puppets, song, dance, and excerpts from Othello and All’s Well That Ends Well done in its traditionally non-traditional manner. It will be performed at 7:35 p.m. on June 14, 21, 27, 28 and July 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26.

StageNotes is an adult learning program designed to enrich the educational aspect of Shakespeare Dallas productions at 7:35 p.m. This summer, participants will take an in-depth look at the historical significance of Shakespeare’s text, and gain insight to the overall concept of that evening’s performance. StageNotes: Othello will take place July 13 and 20; StageNotes: All’s Well That Ends Well will be July 10 and July 17. Admission is free.

Tickets can be purchased online.