Choreography & concept by Dwight Rhoden
Music original composition by David Rozenblatt
Track producer & sound designer Gene Pritsker
Live solo saxophone by Arun Luthra
Assistant to the choreographer Christina Johnson Vojvodich
Lighting & scenic design by Michael Korsch
Costume design by Christine Darch
This work was commissioned by
M. Marie Mitchell
for North Carolina Dance Theatre.
World Premiere: May 14, 2009, Charlotte, North Carolina
Setting A big city
Time Frame The 21st Century
Concept The Entertainment Industry
The Story Othello was written between 1601 and 1604 in England by William Shakespeare. This version of Othello is a contemporary interpretation of the original characters, relationships and events placed in a modern day context.
The Characters
Duke (Jhe W. Russell) CEO of a music entertainment corporation in America. Othello’s superior, a powerful and well-respected executive.
Othello (Joseph Watson) A music mogul and award winning producer. He has a sling of hits and is a hero to many. In love with Desdemona.
Desdemona (Rebecca Carmazzi) A Pop icon. The “It” star of the moment considered by many to be the most beautiful and talented star of the time. In love with Othello.
Iago (David Ingram) A one hit wonder with a stalled career and an insatiable hunger for the limelight. He wishes to bring Othello down. Forced to work in the background of the music industry, and recently looked over for a promotion by Othello, he will stop at nothing to get even.
Emilia (Traci Gilchrest) Desdemona’s best friend who is married to Iago. She is a former model in an abusive marriage.
Rodrigo (Randolph Ward) An independently wealthy investor. He thinks money can buy him love and is hopelessly in love with Desdemona.
Cassio (Dustin Layton) Young, naïve and easily manipulated. He is Othello’s right-hand man, recently promoted to this position.
Bianca (Seia Rassenti) A rising pop star desperate for fame and anxious to win the attention of Othello.
Brabantio (Justin VanWeest) Desdemona’s over-protective father who manages her career. He is unhappy with Desdemona’s marriage to Othello, and is convinced Othello is only using Desdemona for financial gain.
Montano (Ian Grosh) The publicist.
The Wannabes (Anna Gerberich, Kylie Morton) Two back up performers.
The Investors (Steven Boston, Ian Grosh, Sarah Hayes, Sarah James, Addul Manzano, David Morse, Carolina Rendon Okolova, Casie Wheeler) The financial backers.
The Paparazzi (Leigh Anne Albrechta, Kayleigh Gorham, Kayla Max, Carlie Mills, Alynn Piccirillo, Nicole VonEnck) The press, tabloids and media.
Othello’s Assistants (Mayu Tanigaito, Sam Shapiro) Two assistants in service to Othello’s team.
ACT 1
Scene 1 – IAGO’S MOMENT
As the master of ceremony, Iago delivers his message in a song to introduce the players. Othello presents Desdemona in a live telecast of her latest hit. He surprises her by proposing. She accepts and they marry on air. The party is just beginning.
Scene 2 – DISPUTE IN CONCLUSION
Brabantio calls for a meeting with Duke and the investors, as he believes Othello is using his daughter. Duke calls for a vote from the investors. All are in favor of Othello and Desdemona’s marriage except Rodrigo (a key investor), who has been paying Iago to no avail in a hopeless pursuit to have Desdemona to himself. Duke announces that Othello and Desdemona have been nominated for a very prestigious award and they must take a trip to accept the nomination. He mentions taking Cassio. Infuriated
by this, Iago decides that he must convince Othello that Cassio is trying to sleep with Desdemona.
Scene 3- FAREWELL (Iago’s Soliliquy)
Iago tells the audience of his plan to bring down Othello by creating scandal with Cassio, who was recently promoted before him.
Scene 4 - HEADLINES
Paparazzi and reporters run wild with scandal and tabloid journalism. A shot of Desdemona and Cassio is released to the press.
Scene 5 – THE RETURN
Othello and his team return home to media frenzy. Boasting about the success of their trip and the airing of the awards show tonight, Othello presents Desdemona with a beautiful necklace to commemorate this moment. Angered by all of this, Iago decides this is the night he must convince Othello of Desdemona’s infidelity.
Scene 6 – POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE
Celebration, red carpet, and ceremonious awards- this is Desdemona’s big night. Iago sees Cassio’s high regard for Desdemona and gets him drunk in hopes that he will do something inappropriate. In the midst of Desdemona’s performance, Iago urges Rodrigo to start a fight with the now inebriated Cassio. Desdemona tries to stop the fight. In the scuffle she drops the precious necklace just given to her by Othello. No one sees this but Emilia and Iago. Iago demands Emilia give it to him and keep quiet. The investors are outraged and embarrassed by Cassio’s drunkenness. Othello is forced to strip him of his title.
Scene 7 – IN OUTSIDE
In turmoil over his expulsion, Cassio laments his behavior. Iago comforts Cassio by suggesting he talk to Desdemona. She tries to assure him that Othello just lost his temper and will surely re-instate him. To plant the seeds of Desdemona’s infidelity in Othello’s head, Iago brings him to see this interaction. Othello
begins to have doubts, but isn’t convinced.
Scene 8 – THE AFTER PARTY
The celebration goes deep into the night. Othello, bothered by the events of the evening, decides to leave. Desdemona tries to comfort him and gets ready to leave with him, but he tells her to stay and finish celebrating. Othello says goodbye, but then notices that her necklace is missing. She assures him she will
find it. Cassio reappears at the party, and Iago promises to help him get his job back. Iago persuades him to go home with Bianca and the Wannabes. Iago gives Bianca the necklace and the instructions to frame Cassio. Othello comes back to the party to pick up Desdemona, but she is panicked looking for the lost necklace.
ACT 2
Scene 9 – THE PLANT & THE PLAN
Cassio parties into the morning with Bianca and the Wannabes. Unbeknownst to him, Bianca plants the jewel from Desdemona’s necklace on Cassio at Iago’s orders. Iago meets Othello at a local bar and continues to fan the flame of Othello’s anger and distrust in Desdemona. Bianca calls Iago and confirms that her mission has been accomplished.
Scene 10 – O TELL O MY LOVE (Dream sequence)
Othello and Desdemona express their true love for one another, but we see the doubt and loss of confidence in the sanctity of their marriage.
Scene 11 – DOUBLE EXPOSURE
The next day at the office Iago has arranged a meeting with Cassio, supposedly to help him get his job back. He sets him up by coaxing him into talking about the wild night he had with Bianca and the Wannabes. Iago knows that Othello is watching from a distance. Cassio, eager to talk to Othello, tries to speak to him. Iago takes Cassio’s jacket exposing the jewel from the necklace planted on his belt. Othello confronts him in a jealous rage and argument ensues. Desdemona drops by the office and is met with disdain from Othello. He strikes her in front of everyone and Duke immediately dismisses him.
Scene 12 - THE RAGE
Othello is insecure, and with everyone watching him, becomes unglued in a fit of rage. This is the eginning of his decline.
Scene 13 - WIFE FOR WIFE
Emilia meets Desdemona on the street and tries to comfort her. Desdemona is distraught over Othello’s anger and abuse towards her. We see Emilia’s guilt in having been a part of setting up the lie. Othello shows up and questions them both. He sends Desdemona home and further interrogates Emilia.
Scene 14 – BULLET IN
From a covert location in the office, Iago encourages Rodrigo to attack Cassio. Rodrigo injures Cassio, and Iago shoots into the room from behind a door, not caring who he hits. This appears to be a stray bullet. Iago hits Cassio, but doesn’t kill him. Iago later walks into the room and feigning retaliation for Cassio’s
injury, shoots and kills Rodrigo. Othello is at a local bar in a trance. He hears gunshots and feels he has no choice but to kill the love of his life.
Scene 15 – LOVE MY O TELL O
Back at Othello and Desdemona’s loft, Othello arrives home as Emilia is leaving. Desdemona has fallen asleep. He kisses her one final time. She pleads her innocence, but seems to know what is going to happen. He feels that there is no other way. Othello shoots Desdemona.
Scene 16 – THE END ALL
Emilia enters to see Desdemona take her final breath. Iago arrives just as Emilia begins to tell Othello the truth of how Iago planned it all. Iago kills Emilia and flees the scene. Suddenly everyone arrives and there is chaos. Iago is brought back by Duke, and Othello fights and wounds Iago. Iago proudly confirms he set it all up by pulling out the chain that was once connected to Desdemona’s necklace. Realizing this, Othello pulls out a concealed weapon and kills himself. Cassio is placed in charge.
Scene 17 – CHAINS
“I bleed, sir; but not kill’d” (Act 5, scene 2) Iago has his final moment.
Additional Credits
Projected Photography: Peter Zay
Risers & Ramps: Scott Rogers, Custom Welding
Upstage Bridge: Scott Humphrey, Staging Dimensions |
