Shakespeare's "Othello" Gets a Facelift

Have you ever seen one of William Shakespeare’s plays set to an electric violin? Here’s your chance.

This November the School of Performing Arts and Cinema is bringing a unique version of Shakespeare’s “Othello” to Virginia Tech. Director Bob McGrath, a three time Obie Award winner, said the audience should expect a “cool scary sexy time.”

“Othello” will be performed in Squires Haymarket Theatre Nov. 13-15 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 15 at 2 p.m., and Nov. 17-19 at 7:30 p.m.

The cost is $9 for the general public, and $7 for students and senior citizens. Tickets go on sale Nov. 2 at the ticket office in Squires and will also be available at the door.

An original score composed by Haitian-American artist Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) will give fresh excitement to Shakespeare’s timeless story.

“[We] have been trying to find the right project to work on for a couple of years and this revealed itself to be the right project,” said McGrath of his desire to work with DBR.

The composer is known for fusing his classical background with cultural influences to create energetic music. Recently, he performed with pop artist Lady Gaga on “American Idol.”

McGrath has set the play in contemporary Venice and Cyprus, instead of the traditional early Renaissance frame, bringing the still relevant themes of racism, love and betrayal even closer to the audience.

Virginia Tech faculty member Michael Anthony Williams will play the title character. Williams said he drew the basis for his character from studying several different versions of the script and watching different performances before putting his own spin on it. This is his first time performing Shakespeare in his 23-year career.

“Othello” is also the first Shakespeare for McGrath. “We are making sure that we are not doing it like any Shakespeare performance we’ve ever seen. So I guarantee people won’t be bored,” said Williams.

Students make up the rest of the cast.

“Othello” will be the second main stage production in the School of Performing Arts and Cinema’s 2009-2010 season. This season marks a transitional period for the school, which recently changed locations and added cinema to the curriculum.