Othello
at Woodbridge Senior High School

Reviewed on January 20, 2017

Laras Kettner
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

"Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy!" proclaims Iago in Woodbridge Senior High School Theatre Department's modern production of "Othello." The important theme of jealousy is heightened by setting it during the Vietnam War. This creative decision adds a magical element to this fantastic show, making it very real and engaging for the audience.

"Othello" is a famous tragedy by William Shakespeare. It describes the heartbreaking tale of Othello, a soldier who marries the love of his life, Desdemona. After Othello chooses Cassio to be his lieutenant over his close friend Iago, Iago wants revenge and seeks to destroy Othello's life. Iago devises a plan to convince Othello that his wife is cheating on him, which drives Othello mad with jealousy, causing him to make "fatal choices."

Christian Ellis as Othello develops his character magnificently throughout the play. The emotional breakdown of Othello is evident as a tear rolls from his eye, and he is consumed by "the green-eyed monster" of jealousy, fed in part by Iago's wicked lies. Othello's right-hand man is the vengeful Iago, played by Brian Bennett, who portrays a powerful character, engaging/reacting beautifully to other characters, and allowing the terrible revenge he is feeling to reflect in his bloodshot eyes.

Logan Venturino as Cassio proves to be a great source of comedy throughout the show. He stands out in his sultry scenes with Bianca (Allizaeh Wood), and in his wonderful use of pantomime during his drunken stupor. Celeste Taica as Emilia has great character development as she changes from being an obedient wife to becoming an empowered woman. As realization dawns on her that she is but a pawn in her husband's master plan, she displays a devotion to Desdemona (Helen Thompson) that allows her to stand up to her husband.

The soldier ensemble has admirable physicality, reacting commendably to the mood in the play, as most of the characters' mentalities slowly deteriorate. The chemistry between Othello and Iago is a joy to watch as they both demonstrate a mastery for the Shakespearean language, their voices flowing eloquently as they argue, as if they were talking normally. Emilia and Desdemona's relationship comes alive as they become independent women, willing to stand up for themselves.

Setting "Othello" during the Vietnam war is an artistic choice made by the production crew that makes the show a far more interesting experience. In a real war setting where the audience can relate to the 60s mentality, the play becomes easier to believe. It makes the play more tragic, with the Vietnam War establishing the African American's greater role in the war, that American society still felt conflicted about.

The set of the show is commendable, with colorful signs used to express the love that characterized the 60s and Othello and Desdemona's relationship. The costumes are hippie attire, effectively aligning with the setting. Many technical aspects in the show make it a joy to watch including: the green lighting to reflect Iago's jealousy, the realistic cigarettes, and the voice that broadcasts on the radio. As director, Fatima Dyfan makes exceptional blocking choices by making use of the whole stage, which is highly engaging for the audience. Through this blocking, the actors were unafraid to make physical contact, establishing the emotional relationships many of them have with each other.

Woodbridge Senior High School's wonderful production of "Othello" is magnificently brought to life by a Vietnam War setting. This modernization of the tragedy paints a picture of the love and mistrust consuming contemporary relationships, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in a show they can apply to their own lives.
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Ian Welfley
South County High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Jealousy, brutality, animosity, and betrayal all clash in Woodbridge Senior High School's heartbreaking, uncompromising interpretation of Shakespeare's tragedy Othello, which chronicles a man's cataclysmic fall from contentment to absolute sorrow.

The play is thought to of been written by illustrious playwright William Shakespeare in 1604, and is regarded as one of his greatest works. The poignant show follows a general at the top of the world by the name of Othello (Christian Ellis), who has been blessed with a beautiful wife and an authoritative, prestigious military rank. His only mistake is not promoting his supposed friend Iago (Brian Bennett) who, brimming with jealousy and hatred, meticulously plots his vile revenge towards those who have wronged him, all culminating in a tragic climax that leaves no character unscathed.

Brian Bennett's detestable portrayal of the play's antagonist Iago was chilling as much as it was absorbing. Bennett was able to bring the moral complexity conveyed by the character to life by showing his manipulative, calculating nature not only through tone and inflection, but in his malice, abhorrence suffused eyes. Contributing to the consistently flowing energy onstage was Christian Ellis as the benevolent, albeit persuadable Othello, whose calamitous turn as the title character left every audience member in tears through his disintegration that Ellis was able to transmit through his subtly withering physicality. Ellis and Bennett's impeccable stage presence persistently kept their scenes engaging.

Providing some comic relief to even the most serious scenes was Logan Venturino as Cassio, who was able to balance the serious and humorous lines of his character appropriately. His hilarious, campy facial expressions always kept his presence noticeable even when he wasn't speaking. Bringing to life the tragic women of Desdemona and Emilia were Helen Thompson and Celeste Taica, whose poignant character arcs were maintained eloquently by the talented actresses. They understood and conveyed the tainted innocence of their characters living in a violent, manipulative world not fit for pure creatures as themselves.

The show was replete with creative aspects brought to the table by the gifted and proficient student director Fatima Dyfan, whose decision to use the Vietnam War as the show's setting was substantially effective, further contributing to the overarching tone of the play. Each set piece brought the period to life, artistically designed by Set Designer Rileigh Perkins. The makeup was believable and even helped to elevate the intensity of numerous scenes, including convincingly real imitation blood. The makeup also served to create a more chilling presence from individual characters, with Othello's scar being authentic as much as it was eerie. Jaydn David, head of makeup, did a phenomenal job.

Woodbridge Senior High School has presented an unflinching, dreary look at the manipulative, violent tendencies of man in a rendition of Shakespeare's Othello, that will cause each audience member to leave the show not only in astonishment at the production, but contemplating the fundamental nature of people.

Kristen Waagner
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

No one is safe from the green-eyed monster. In "Othello," jealousy permeates the hearts of its victims, sparing no man, leaving no one untouched. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Vietnam War, Woodbridge Senior High School's student-directed adaptation of Shakespeare's iconic tragedy makes it as intensely relevant as it ever has been.

The inspiration for "Othello" originated in the 1565 story "Un Capitano Moro," or "A Moorish Captain," by Cinthio. Written by Shakespeare in 1603, the play has been adapted for film, television, dance, and opera. Its universal themes of racism, jealousy, and honor translate well onto the stage of the late 60s, where they are explored to a new extent at Woodbridge.

Our story begins as Othello, a celebrated Vietnam War general, marries his true love Desdemona, though he is despised by her father for his race. He is also loathed, albeit secretly, by the cunning Iago, who is livid at being passed over for a promotion. His cold anger manifests itself in manipulation as he works to destroy everything Othello loves: his marriage, his career, and his sanity.

Christian Ellis portrayed the honorable Othello with depth, aided by an extraordinary understanding of Shakespeare's masterful language. From the earnest smile of Act I to his tears of anger and despair in Act II, Ellis' Othello was believably expressive and versatile in his varied relationships. Othello's cunning foil Iago (Brian Bennett) embodied jealousy in his riveting monologues, the madness of his character apparent in his vocal and physical intensity. The quintessential villain raised the stakes of the show as its self-aware, yet almost sociopathic narrator.

Both Othello and Iago showed authentic chemistry with their respective wives, pure Desdemona (Helen Thompson) and feisty Emilia (Celeste Taica). Thompson captured Desdemona's endearing quality as she sang "Love Me Tender" in a moment's respite from the violence of the play. Taica's Emilia was truly empowered, which made her scenes with Iago tremendously captivating. As Othello's lieutenant Cassio, Logan Venturino brought a strong comedic element to the show; his slurred protests of "I am not drunk!" brought a smile to each face in the audience. Roderigo (Kieran Weldon) had visible character development that made his final scene, illuminated in red light, heartbreaking.

Impressive as the show was, it was made more so by the revelation that it had a student director. Fatima Dyfan's adept leadership created a piece with dynamic blocking and technical elements that added layers to the message of Othello. Green lighting personified jealousy during Iago's monologues, giving the audience a glimpse into his mind. Props, such as cigarettes that blew smoke, heavy sandbags, and beer bottles that shattered upon impact, brought the audience into the gritty world of the Vietnam War. Utterly convincing fight choreography, augmented by shocking stage wounds, emphasized the violence of the era. Though music sometimes detracted from the serious tone of Othello, a live rendition of Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" aptly foreshadowed the tragic hero's impending doom.

Woodbridge Senior High School has proven that this tale of desolation is as timeless as they come. Skillful direction and talented actors pushed Othello to transcend time period, resulting in a fantastic show.

Emily Lachow
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Lorton Valley Star

With the echo of scattered gunshots and the shouts of warring men, Woodbridge Senior High School welcomed its audience to a world on the eve of destruction. Their thrilling Vietnam War era rendition of Othello captured the destructive powers of jealousy through passionate performances and dedicated student directing.

Penned by iconic playwright William Shakespeare, Othello was based on the 1565 story Un Capitano Moro ("A Moorish Captain"), and was subsequently performed in 1603. The production has since inspired numerous adaptations, including over twenty films, a four-act Italian opera, and a revered full-length ballet. This tragedy hinges upon the decision of young military general Othello to appoint Cassio as his captain, rather than the ambitious Iago. Iago's jealousy causes him to seek revenge against Othello, with a calculated plan that no man's humanity could withstand. Love, hate, and betrayal are intertwined in this well-known Shakespeare narrative, with a transcendent message that these twenty-first century students fully grasped.

At the center of it all stood Christian Ellis' strong-willed Othello. His descent into madness was enhanced by confident character choices and a clear mastery of the language. As Othello's wife Desdemona, Helen Thompson beautifully juxtaposed Ellis' roughness with elegance and grace. She blossomed into her character over the course of the show, with a stand-out rendition of "Love me Tender" in Act 2 gently easing the show's ever-building tension.

Every tragedy needs its perfect villain, and Brian Bennett was certainly up to the task. As the infamous Iago, Bennett delivered a consistently high-energy performance that kept the production engaging. Like Ellis, he too performed with a clear understanding of Shakespearean dialogue, creating a captivating chemistry between the two actors. Iago's wife, Emilia (Celeste Taica), easily matched Bennett's strong presence. In Act 2, Taica's Emilia unfolded as an empowered woman willing to stand up to the men's shenanigans. Adding some comedic relief to the production was Logan Venturino's Cassio; his drunk persona had the audience in peals of laughter. However, in moments of violence, Venturino was able to adjust to a more serious demeanor.

And, of course, perhaps the most commendable feat of all was the student direction of Fatima Dyfan. Not only did Ms. Dyfan cleverly choose to set this production during the Vietnam War, she also elicited truly passionate performances from her actors (several of whom had the difficult task of going mad) and assembled stunning technical elements. The props, such as the shattering bottle, cigarettes, and radio, brought to life the chaotic world of war. The dimming lights during each soliloquy created a more intimate space for the actors to explore their emotional dynamics. The makeup and costumes teams worked together to seamlessly illustrate the culture of the 60's. This production of Othello was enhanced even more by the live music during scene transitions, a notable song being "Eve of Destruction" by Barry McGuire.

Although this classic was written hundreds of years ago, these students proved that the tale of Othello transcends the boundaries of time. Their dedication to exploring the consequences of jealousy provided a moving and memorable performance that truly captured the immortal spirit of Shakespeare.

Diana Witt
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to

"Men in rage strike those that wish them best." The intensity in Iago's voice radiates through the black box theater as he reveals a powerful message about the true nature of man. In Woodbridge Senior High School's 1970's take on Othello, Iago's manipulative manner and Othello's explosive persona uncover poignant themes about racism and revenge.

William Shakespeare's tragedy Othello is based on the Italian novel Un Capitano Moro, which translates to The Moorish Captain. Originally written in five acts, it is considered to be one of Shakespeare's longest tragedies. Othello was believed to be written in 1565 and first appeared on Broadway in 1943. The title character, Othello, is a Moorish general who is envied by the conniving Iago. Iago plots to ruin Othello by destroying his marriage and stripping him of his rank. The men descend into madness as they get caught in a never ending cycle of revenge.

Christian Ellis captured the essence of the enigmatic Othello. Ellis exhibited the drastic transformation in Othello's character from a doting husband to an aggressive villain consumed by jealousy. His unwavering physicality shocked the audience as he quaked with disturbingly realistic fits of rage and performed heinous acts of violence. Ellis also had a believable physical and emotional connection with Othello's wife, Desdemona, played by Helen Thompson. The pair ignited the passion of young love onstage with their impeccable commitment to their dynamic, yet toxic relationship.

The deceitful and vindictive Iago was portrayed by Brian Bennett. Bennett provided narration of his evil scheme, delivering rhythmic asides with confidence. With a piercing gaze and dominant persona, Bennett delivered his lines directly to the audience, breaking the fourth wall. His malicious characterization and convincing vocal intonation stood out in his excellent performance. Celeste Taica played Iago's wife Emilia. Taica acted as a more sensitive counterpart to her husband's callous character. Her frantic disposition added an ominous element to heart-wrenching scenes.

The 1970's setting of the show was supported by vibrant costumes and relevant set pieces. The rugged earth toned military uniforms and combat boots contrasted with the wives' bright orange and yellow flowery tops. The thoughtful set pieces fit to the range of settings, from wooden crates in the military camp to the delicate vanity in Desdemona's bedroom. Student director Fatima Dyfan's impeccable blocking and seamless fight choreography made for compelling scenes. Her skill and technique shined through on stage in the actors' genuine movements and raw characterization.

"Love me tender, love me true." Little did Desdemona know, her soft innocent song would soon turn into horrifying screams of terror. The cast and crew of Woodbridge Senior High School's Othello stunned the audience with their innovative and outstanding production.