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 PICT continues its exploration of race with a timely production of Shakespeare's scathing tale of racism and jealousy, Othello.
Performances begin on May 20th and continue through June 12th in the Henry Heymann Theatre, located at the Stephen Foster Memorial in Oakland. PICT Artistic Director Andrew S. Paul directs a cast of twelve, featuring Javon Johnson, Allison McLemore, Jay Stratton, Michael Hanrahan, and Shelley Delaney. The design team is comprised of Gianni Downs (scenic design), Jim French (lighting), Joan Markert (costumes), Joe Pino (sound), and Cory F. Goddard (properties).
Shakespeare's masterpiece centers on a heroic black warrior living in a society ruled by whites and brought to his knees by the malevolent machinations of his most trusted fellow soldier. Veteran soldier Iago (Michael Hanrahan) is embittered when he is passed over for promotion and feels betrayed by a system that elevates a black man to a position of authority. In retaliation, he cunningly leads Othello (Javon Johnson) to believe that his beautiful wife Desdemona (Allison McLemore), a white woman from a wealthy family, is having an affair with Cassio (Jay Stratton), a handsome white soldier. With the help of his wife Emilia (Shelley Delaney), Iago plants evidence that stokes passionate Othello's jealousy, leading to a disastrous tragic conclusion.
Javon Johnson makes his PICT debut as the tragic Moor. A graduate of the MFA acting program at the University of Pittsburgh, Johnson's local credits include productions with Kuntu Repertory Theatre and Pittsburgh Public Theatre. A protege of August Wilson and an ensemble and founding member of Chicago's Congo Square Theatre Company, he just completed performances in Wilson's Two Trains Running (Sterling Johnson) at Geva Theatre in Rochester. Additional credits include Lydia Diamond's Stick Fly (McCarter Theatre, True Colors), Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Baltimore Center Stage, Goodman/Congo Square), and Seven Guitars (Congo Square).
Cast: Ben Blazer, Shelley Delaney, Martin Giles, Georgia Guy, Michael Hanrahan,
Daryll Heysham, Javon Johnson, Allison McLemore, Larry John Meyers, Joel Ripka, Jay Stratton, and Rich Venezia
Design Team: Gianni Downs (scenic design), Jim French (lighting design), Joan Markert (costume design), Joe Pino (sound design), Cory F. Goddard (properties)
Performance Dates and Times:
First Week:
Wednesday and Thursday, May 19 and 20 -- 10 a.m. student matinees
Thursday and Friday, May 20 and 21 -- 8 p.m. previews
Saturday, May 22 -- 8 p.m. opening night, followed by reception
Sunday, May 23 -- 2 p.m. matinee, followed by talk-back
Second Week:
Tuesday, May 25 -- 10 a.m. student matinee
Wednesday -- Saturday, May 25 -- 29 -- 8 p.m. performances*
Sunday, May 30 -- 2 p.m. matinee
*pre-performance lecture at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday
Third Week:
Tuesday, June 1 -- 10 a.m. student matinee
Wednesday -- Saturday, May 2 -- 5 -- 8 p.m. performances
Sunday, June 6 -- 2 p.m. matinee
Fourth Week:
Tuesday, June 8 -- 7 p.m. Professional Tuesday performance
Wednesday -- Friday, June 8 -- 11 -- 8 p.m. performances
Saturday, June 12 -- 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. performances
TICKET PRICES:
Saturday nights: $50, Seniors $47
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday nights: $46, Seniors $43
Professional Tuesdays, Saturday & Sunday Matinees: $42, Seniors $40
Preview Thursday and Friday: $34 for all seats
$20 tickets available for youth under 25, with valid ID
$5 discount off full-price adult tickets
with the code "SOUL"
Call ProArtsTickets at 412.394.3353
or visit www.picttheatre.org
Free Panel Discussions:
In conjunction with the play, PICT is hosting the free panel discussion "Othello for a 21st Century Audience" on Sunday, June 6th after the 2 p.m. performance. The panel will be moderated by Gale McGloin, and includes actor Javon Johnson, director Andrew S. Paul, and dramaturg Kristen L. Olson, Ph.D.
The panel discussion is free of charge and open to the public.
PICT will also host a post-show talk-back with the company following the Sunday, May 23rd matinee performance, as well as two pre-show discussions beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26th and Thursday, May 27th.
The pre-show discussions are free and open to the public.
www.picttheatre.org
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