Philadelphia Weekly

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Racism, jealousy and self-loathing all rear their ugly heads in the Lantern Theater Company's engaging production of Shakespeare's legendary tragedy Othello.

The story opens in Venice. Over the objections of her racist father Brabantio (Brian McCann), young Desdemona (Mary McCool) marries black general Othello (Frank X). The couple's honeymoon is cut short when Othello is sent by the Duke of Venice to defend Cyprus against a Turkish attack. The Turkish fleet is vanquished in a storm at sea, and the newlyweds take up residence on Cyprus.

While the Turks are no longer a danger, a larger threat exists in the guise of Iago (Peter Pryor). A veteran military officer who feels he was unfairly passed over for promotion, Iago is jealous of Othello's elevated position. He hatches a plan to destroy the Moorish general (whom Iago despises as much for his race as for his rank). The games begin when Iago slyly insinuates that the chaste Desdemona is enjoying a sexual liaison with the handsome lieutenant Cassio (Luigi Sottile).

Under Charles McMahon's direction, the plot unfolds slowly. Early segments of the production would benefit from a tighter focus. But once Iago succeeds in making Othello doubt Desdemona's fidelity, McMahon's production has us in its grip.

Unlike his past productions of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors and King Lear, which were noteworthy for their originality, McMahon's Othello is by-the-book Shakespeare. The conventional approach highlights the abilities of the superb eight-member cast, with strong performances from Sottile, McCool and especially Sarah Sanford as Iago's beleaguered wife Emilia. And as good as the supporting performances are, it's the teaming of Pryor and X that keeps us riveted.

From the moment Iago takes the stage in the electrifying opening (Nick Rye's thunderous sound design is bone-shaking), Pryor (who captured a Barrymore Award for his flamboyant performance of the equally despicable Richard III) oozes evil from every pore. Iago is despicable but also enormously clever--we admire his cunning even as we're repulsed by his abhorrent actions. A gleefully depraved villain, Pryor's Iago is a deceitful showman who relishes his ability to dupe those around him.

Pryor's magnetic performance could easily overwhelm the production and upset the play's delicate balance, but X's passionate and tortured Othello is every bit his equal. As we watch Othello's descent from vaunted military leader to jealous husband, X effectively reveals Othello as a man at war with his inner demons.

Desdemona's original declaration of love initially affirms Othello's view of himself as a noble and virtuous man. But as he begins to doubt whether a young Venetian woman of noble blood can truly love a much older black man from a foreign land, he likewise starts to question himself. Iago plants the seed of doubt in Othello's mind, but it's Othello's own insecurities that ultimately lead to his ruin.

Othello
Through May 4. $15-$35. St. Stephen's Theater, 10th and Ludlow sts. 215.829.0395. www.lanterntheater.org

Boring Buddies

The Odd Couple may be Neil Simon's most popular play, but it's far from his finest work, as evidenced by the Walnut Street Theatre's uninspired production. The couple in question is Oscar Madison (Avi Hoffman in a routine performance) and his new roommate Felix Ungar (an over-the-top Gary Marachek). Oscar is a slob and Felix is fastidious. Simon attempts to turn this single idea into a full-length comedy, but since the men lack discernible character traits other than disparate cleaning habits, we quickly tire of the play's barrage of neat-freak and slob jokes. The only humorous diversion from Oscar and Felix's domestic bickering is provided by the cockney sisters who live upstairs. Ridiculous and silly, the sisters Gwendolyn (Madi Distefano) and Cecily (Leah Walton) are superficially drawn by Simon, yet Distefano's and Walton's farcical portrayals are so delightfully exaggerated that we can't help but be amused. Produced in tandem with Florida's New Vista Theatre Company, The Odd Couple is the second consecutive show the Walnut has co-produced on its mainstage (the first being the company's unfortunate staging of The Price with the Cape May Playhouse). Considering the disappointing results of the Walnut's partnerships this season, the company is seemingly better served when left to its own devices. (J.C.R) >> Through April 27. $10-$57.50. Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St. 215.574.3555. www.walnutstreettheatre.org