stage matters / By William Kowinski

‘Othello’ in Arcata

What past ages called passions, and attributed to temperament, culture, class and race, we may reflexively consider psychological or mental illnesses. In our culture I ago may remind us of psychopaths and sociopathic serial killers, Othello perhaps as psychotic or even schizophrenic; Desdemona as abuse victim. There is scholarly support for the idea that both Othello and I ago were victims of physical maladies known to have mental effects (Othello’s epilepsy being long associated with satanic possession, demoted in Shakespeare’s time to obsession).

But even so, as David Hamilton claims in his program note, these characters all represent aspects of ourselves. Many will recognize some misguided Othello in authority, or the I ago of the office, complete with cascades of malignant consequences. All of the main characters — including Desdemona, Emilia and Cassio — are flawed and make small mistakes that conspire to the tragic end. As Desdemona muses, “How foolish are our minds.”

This show wasn’t an unqualified triumph the night I saw it — there were some weak moments, diction problems and unhelpful lighting, especially in the final revelation scene. But it’s well worth seeing, and Jabari Morgan’s performance is not to be missed. Othello plays the next two weekends.

Coming Up

The first of two touring Broadway shows presented by CenterArts arrives at the Van Duzer Theatre this week. Evita, the musical biography of Eva Perón by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, plays two nights, Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 14 and 15, at 8 p.m. Then, later in the month The Producers by Mel Brooks has a three-night run, same time and place, Nov. 28-30.

Ferndale Rep begins the holiday season Thursday, Nov. 15, with its production of Charlotte’s Web, the classic story by E. B. White (in paperback, it is the best-selling children’s book of all time), written for the stage by the veteran children’s story adapter and playwright, Joseph Robinette. The Rep has assembled a cast of 27, directed by Carol Martinez, with scenery and lights by Gary Franklin and costumes by Vikki Young. Though the play brings barnyard animals alive to the delight of children, its themes of friendship, active affiliation and courage in the face of the unchangeable cycles of life make this a story for families to share. The play runs through Dec. 16.

Also opening Thursday is the North Coast Rep production of the musical Fiddler on the Roof, which plays through Dec. 15. More on this show next week.

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