FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 22, 2007
Contact: Emma F. Caro
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 232

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK OPENS SHELTERHOUSE SEASON WITH SHAKESPEARE’S OTHELLO, SEPTEMBER 22-OCTOBER 21

(CINCINNATI) –The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will open its Thompson Shelterhouse theatre season with one of William Shakespeare’s most exciting, intriguing and heartbreaking plays, Othello. The show begins public previews on September 22 and continues through October 21.

The Bard returns to the Shelterhouse for the first time in more than 30 years, and his most domestic tale is made all the more moving by the intimate setting. As the play begins, Iago is conspiring with Roderigo. Iago is angered at being passed over for the coveted role of first lieutenant to the Moorish General Othello. In place of Iago, Othello has named the younger Michael Cassio.

Bent on revenge, Iago embarks on a plan to convince Othello that his new wife Desdemona secretly is having an affair with Cassio. He enlists Roderigo in provoking the man to a fight. Inebriated, Cassio lets his temper get the best of him, resulting in his removal from Othello’s good graces.

Iago convinces Cassio to turn to Desdemona for aid, asking her to entreat for Othello’s forgiveness. Then Iago poisons Othello’s mind with suspicious details about Desdemona and Cassio. Her continued pleading for the man, a misplaced handkerchief and outright lies by Iago all form a sinister web set to ruin Othello and everyone around him. With its racing plot and intense dramatic details, this highly charged tale of jealousy, love, revenge and murder explores the overwhelming and sometimes destructive power of human emotion.

Othello is believed to have been inspired by Gli Hecatommithi, published by Giovanni Battista Giraldi (Cinthio) in 1565. Scholars believe it first was performed in 1604 at Whitehall Palace in London. The play holds several important historical records. In 1660, Margaret Hughes portrayed the role of Desdemona in the King’s Company production, marking the first time a professional actress appeared on a public stage in England. A 1943 New York production featuring Paul Robeson and Uta Hagen ran for 296 performances, nearly twice as long as any other Shakespearean play produced on Broadway.

Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Edward Stern, who will direct Othello, has wanted to produce one of Shakespeare’s works in the Shelterhouse for more than a decade. According to Mr. Stern, “Othello is a fairly intimate, domestic tragedy. It’s not a lesser tragedy, but it focuses, not on socio-political themes, but on human beings in turmoil. That justifies doing the play in such a small space, where what is at the heart of the script can be highlighted so powerfully.”

The cast for Othello includes several returning actors, including R. Ward Duffy (A Flea in Her Ear) as Iago, Jeff Groh (Going Gone) as the Officer, Joneal Joplin (Witness for the Prosecution, A Christmas Carol) as Brabantio/Ludovico, Angela Lin (Twelfth Night) as Bianca, Anthony Marble (Leap) as Cassio, Carine Montbertrand (Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure) as Emilia and Greg Thornton (Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde) as the Duke of Venice/Montano.

Making their Playhouse debuts are Scott Barrow as Roderigo, Sarah Dandridge as Desdemona, Ryan Imhoff as the Soldier and Esau Pritchett as Othello.

Other members of the production team are Joseph P. Tilford (set designer), Mattie Ullrich (costume designer), Thomas C. Hase (lighting designer), Douglas Lowry (composer), Chuck Hatcher (sound designer) and Philip Thompson (text consultant). The stage managers are Suann Pollock and Wendy J. Dorn.

Tickets to Othello are on sale now. Prices range from $44.50-$54.50, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $38.50 for the preview performances at 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 22; 7 p.m. Sunday, September 23; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 25; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 26. The official opening night is Thursday, September 27, at 8 p.m.

Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased between 11 a.m. and
5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.

For tickets to Othello or for more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office there is a $3 convenience fee per call. Tickets also can be purchased on the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com.

Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection Comair, the Playhouse’s official airline.

The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati.

Special Performances

Meet the Artists
These free programs allow audiences to interact with cast members and others associated with the production following the show.

2 p.m. Sunday, September 30
2 p.m. Sunday, October 7
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 10
8 p.m. Thursday, October 18

Dining Options

Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is $25, which does not include gratuity. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required.

Sponsors

Production Sponsor:
Digi and Mike Schueler

Honorary Producers:
George and Ellen Rieveschl

Design Sponsor:
The Evelo Group Private Wealth Management —
Merrill Lynch

Fine Arts Fund Partner:
Macy's

The 2007-2008 Shelterhouse Theatre Series is presented by
Heidelberg Distributing Co.

The Shelterhouse Season Design Sponsor is
The Sheakley Group of Companies

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