OTHELLO
A JAZZ-INFUSED ADAPTATION
The Stage presents a reimagined, jazz-infused version of William Shakespeare’s OTHELLO, set in the gritty and dark world of a 1950s film-noir jazz club milieu, providing a unique twist and an extra layer of intensity to the already powerful drama. The cast of eight actors takes on multiple roles in this Brechtian cabaret-style performance, creating an intimate and disturbing exploration of Shakespeare's timeless themes. At its core, this production delves into the tragic love story of Othello and Desdemona, complicated by the cunning manipulations of Iago who leads Othello to believe that Desdemona is unfaithful. With themes of love, deceit, betrayal, and murder at its core, this reimagined version of OTHELLO provides a powerful commentary on these timeless themes and offers a fresh perspective on Shakespeare's classic tragedy while remaining true to its enduring relevance.
RUNNING TIME: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes
“The stars have aligned to bring together an extraordinary ensemble and creative team. This new adaptation blends Shakespeare’s brilliance with the pulsating heartbeat of jazz.”
“This reimagined 1950’s film-noir adaptation of Othello, William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy of love, deceit, betrayal and murder, invokes echoes of Raymond Chandler and Jack Kerouac. With only 8 actors, we’ll investigate Shakespeare’s themes of the manic twist for dominance laced with an underscore of racial prejudices.”
“San Jose Stage Company mounts an engrossing, stunning and unsettling Othello that so powerfully speaks to the current rise of troubles, both racist and sexist, in our own country.”
“Shakespeare’s language is completed with supreme divinity in this production...the unifying theme of jazz and film-noir’s mystery does well to craft a world of darkness and deceit, a seamless unifier leading the narrative to a scintillating end.”
“It’s as effective an adaptation of Shakespeare as I’ve ever seen. Kudos to the team at San Jose Stage Company for bringing it to us.”
CAST
CREATIVES
KENNETH KELLEHER† | DIRECTOR & ADAPTOR
ROBERT PICKERING | SCENIC CONSULTANT
Jean Cardinale | COSTUME DESIGN
MAURICE VERCOUTERE | LIGHTING DESIGN
STEVEN SCHOENBECK | SOUND DESIGN
JENN TRAMPENAU | PROPS COORDINATOR
JUSTIN TRAVIS BUCHS* | STAGE MANAGER
KEITH PINTO | MOVEMENT DIRECTOR
WILL SPRINGHORN JR. | INTIMACY COORDINATOR
MICHAEL STORM | FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER
ALLISON F. RICH | VOCAL CONSULTANT
HELEN BEYER | PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
ASPEN BLANCO | PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
MORGAN BOHAC | PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
*Denotes members of Actors’ Equity Assoication
†Denotes members of Stage Directors & Choreographers Society