Othello

Othello

The Drilling Company

Bryant Park Shakespeare

August 31, 2019

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

The Drilling Company brings the summer to a dramatic close with their Bryant Park Shakespeare production of Othello.  Director Hamilton Clancy brings together a talented cast who delivers moving performances of these classic characters.  His choice of modernizing the costumes and setting allows for accessibility to the complex story line and simplicity to the stage pictures.

Iago (played by David Marantz), a third ranking officer, is passed over for a promotion by Othello (played by Emmanuel Elpenord), the top ranking General.  When Othello secretly marries Desdemona (played by Liz Livingston), Iago sees an opportunity to seek his revenge.  He plans to fill Othello’s head with lies about Desdemona cheating on him with Cassio (played by Bradford B. Frost).  The proud and strong general falls into Iago's deceit,  and is overcome with jealousy and emotion.  His reactions and behavior threatens his own authority.  Once Iago supplies physical proof of this fabricated story, provided by his unsuspecting wife, Emilia (played by Karla Hendrick), Othello is easily manipulated into take desperate action.

Liz Livingston & Emmanuel Elpenard
Photos courtesy of The Drilling Company

Emmanuel Elpenord is a solid and commanding Othello.  He builds a trusting and open relationship with David Marantz’s Iago.  The two men have a strong chemistry, which makes the plot build and unfold in a believable manner.  David Marantz plays Iago’s duality with a balance of charm and cunning that creates an aura of evil treachery.  Liz Livingston portrays Desdemona with grace and sincerity, which heightens the impact of the tragic ending.  Karla Hendrick is outstanding as Emilia.  You gain a visceral understanding of her marriage to Iago through her glances, tone, and physicality.  Her respect and care for Desdemona are genuine.  Bradford B. Frost portrayal of Cassio is honest and bold.  Jack Sochet, David Sitler, Kendra Lee Oberhauser, Kyle Maxwell, and Jake Lesh also deliver strong performances.

Photo courtesy fo The Drilling Company
& Bryant Park Shakespeare

Othello is playing at Bryant Park at 7:00 PM, Thursday through Saturday, September 5-7.   This is your last chance to enjoy FREE Summer Shakespeare.  After twenty-five years of producing outdoor Shakespeare in NYC, The Drilling Company is one of the best.  Make it a classic ending to your summer and go see it.

Domenick Danza

Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night

The Drilling Company

Bryant Park Shakespeare

July 29, 2017

 

Photo courtesy of Bryan Park Shakespeare

The Drilling Company’s production of Twelfth Night fills Bryant Park with laughter and frivolity.  Director Jane Bradley sets her groovy rendition amid the 1960s free-loving sexual revolution.  Her eye for detail brings out the romantic comedy in Shakespeare’s bawdy, error filled, classic tale.  Her staging and timing keep the action flowing smoothly and the laughs erupting spontaneously.  According to her program notes, Ms. Bradley’s goal was to create a setting that is “peculiar, outrageous, and above all else, a delightful escape,” and she gallantly succeeds.  

Viola (played by Natalie Smith) washes up on the shores of Illyria after her ship is lost at sea.  She disguises herself as a man, Cesario, in order to present herself to Orsino (played by Emmanuel Elpenard), the Duke she remembers as a friend of her deceased father.  Orsino takes her in his service and sends her to deliver a message to his love, Countess Olivia (played by Kathleen Simmonds).  Olivia, uninterested in Orsino, is madly attracted to Cesario, and begins to pursue him, not realizing he is a she.  Meanwhile, her loyal steward, Malvolio (played by Lukas Raphael), is taunted by adversaries in courts, causing him to make a fool of himself to the Countess.  When Viola’s twin brother, Sebastian (played by Brandon Reilly), arrives in Illyria, he is mistaken for the disguised Viola, adding mayhem to the identity confusion. 

The cast of Twelfth Night
Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

This cast builds relationships that make the production ring true on many levels.  Emmanuel Elpenard is romantic, beguiling, and commanding as Duke Orsino.  He creates a strong bond with Natalie Smith’s Viola.  She is charming and resourceful, and keeps the audience absorbed and engaged throughout the show.  Kathleen Simmonds shines in her interpretation of Olivia.  She is dark, sexy, and bold, and equally matched by Lukas Raphael as Malvolio.  His skill gives him the range to play Malvolio’s serious, egotistical side and then effortlessly hit the comic timing in the later scenes.  Jack Socket (Sir Toby), Jarrod Bates (Sir Andrew), Haylee Louise Simmonds (Maria), and Rachel A. Collins (Fabian) deliver the laughs with warmth and heart by building honest camaraderie among their characters.  Rachel A. Collins’ physical characterization of Curio, a small role in two short scenes early in the play, is superb.  Brandon Reilly and Arif Silverman have a strong chemistry as Sebastian and Antonio that heightens the humor in the final scene as true identities are revealed.

Unfortunately, Twelfth Night only ran for one weekend in Bryant Park.  You will, however, have three weekends to see the upcoming production of The Tempest.  It opens August 25 and runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 PM through September 9.  It will be directed by Lukas Raphael, and is sure to be captivating.

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

In addition, be sure to see The Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot production of Henry VI Part 3, directed by Artistic Director Hamilton Clancy.  It runs Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:00 PM through Aug. 12 at the Clemente Cultural & Educational Center Parking Lot.  Check the website for directions (shakespeareintheparkinglot.com).  All these shows are FREE.  You have no excuse not to attend. 

Domenick Danza