Desdemona, a woman of valor

By Eva Trieger

Eva Trieger
Eva Trieger

SAN DIEGO — Another enchanted evening basking in the clement weather in Balboa Park’s Lowell Davies Festival Theater, as the 2014 Summer Shakespeare Festival opened with the classic tragedy, Othello.   Barry Edelstein directed a cast filled with talented stars, some local and some national, some known and others debuting.

A few major television stars filled leading roles. Blair Underwood breathed life into Othello, the Moor who is in love with the fair Desdemona (Kristen Connolly). Richard Thomas, masterfully devious, plotted and wheedled as Iago, quite a nemesis to the principled Walton son we knew and loved! Some of our local San Diegans portrayed Brabantio (Mike Sears), Emelia (Angela Reed) and The Duke (Mark Pinter). The large cast made excellent use of the stage and Wilson Chin’s clever set design allowed the audience to participate in the show by way of moveable walls and doors.

My companion had read up on the play and was well versed with regard to the plot line, characters and setting. I think what surprised and intrigued him was the live musical accompaniment, which added suspense, accent and tension to the action on stage.

In brief, this story is ostensibly about prejudice and how those who are not part of the majority are maligned and unfairly discriminated against. Othello is considered a brilliant general by all, but his lieutenant, Iago, envies his power and esteem and wants to take him down. In order to do this, Iago, resorts to lies and deception, playing on Othello’s own self doubt and fears. However, this reviewer found a few Jewish themes that made the story that much more meaningful and important.

When Desdemona secretly weds Othello, she does so without her father’s knowledge or blessing. He states, “She is dead to me.” As my companion pointed out, this was reminiscent of Fiddler on the Roof when Chava’s father no longer acknowledged her after she married a man he had not endorsed. In fact, Brabantio goes a step further in suggesting that Roderigo (Johnny Orsini), once seen as unworthy, would have been a vast improvement over the Moor. Jews, according to tradition, are to marry Jews and marrying outside of the faith is cause for excommunication or grieving a loss on the part of a parent.

In the second act, every actor seemed to be on his/her game. Blair Underwood delivered an impassioned and emotionally wrought Othello. Richard Thomas’ role took on an even greater dimension of deviousness, and both Desdemona (Connolly) and Emelia (Reed) came alive with indignation, sadness and an understanding of their fates.

Desdemona demonstrated this second Jewish trait. Throughout the play she was a woman of valor. Her steadfast love for her husband, her virtuous quest for honesty and clear communication caused her to receive rebuke from her confused husband. She weathered it all, and did not lash out or behave in any base way. Even moments before she died an undeservedly brutal death, she selflessly protected her husband, croaking out that she had killed herself. At no point did Desdemona ever show disrespect or mistrust of Othello, and instead only sought to bolster him and provide him with her loving affections.

The Old Globe provided an idyllic backdrop for a beautiful summer night of the Bard’s magic. Television fan that I am, Aafter the final bow and the show ended all I wanted to say was “ Goodnight Iago Boy.”

Othello will run through July 27th, and tickets may be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org or by phone at 619.23.GLOBE

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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com