Last night, while most of the city was out enjoying the strange gift of warm weather in early March, a smaller group of us gathered inside the intimate theater at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company to watch the opening night of Shakespeare’s Othello. What unfolded on that wooden stage felt quietly remarkable. For me, it was the kind of performance that reminds you why live theatre still matters.
Plot in Brief
Beautifully directed by Candice Handy, Othello is a tragedy about a general, Othello (Sylvester Little Jr.), whose life slowly unravels as those he thought he trusted lie and manipulate him. At the center of the story is his marriage to Desdemona (Tess Talbot), a woman he deeply loves but begins to doubt as seeds of suspicion are planted by his ensign, Iago (Billy Chace). Through calculated whispers, half-truths, and carefully staged moments, Iago slowly convinces Othello that betrayal surrounds him…pushing a once confident leader into a spiral of jealousy and uncertainty. It’s a story of betrayal but also a deeper look at the stories we, the audience, tell ourselves and how the human mind, given enough influence, can turn against itself and begin to weave an entirely different version of reality.
It’s a play that resonates across ages, generations, and backgrounds and serves as a reminder that the most dangerous narratives are often the ones we begin to believe about our own lives, whether they are rooted in fact or not.
Directed with Clarity and Emotion
If I’m being honest, Shakespeare, especially the plays that aren’t the usual household names, can feel intimidating. The language is dense, the rhythm unfamiliar, and it’s easy to feel like you’re doing more decoding than experiencing. But this production never once asked the audience to dissect the text. The emotional clarity of the performances carried the dialogue with such force that the meaning felt instinctive rather than intellectual.
From the beginning, the emotions are so palpable that the language almost became secondary. The performances are so expressive that the actors could have been speaking in Latin and I still would have understood exactly what was happening. The jealousy, the heartbreak, the manipulation… it all feels incredibly intimate and human. At times it felt like I wasn’t watching a play at all, but living alongside these characters as their relationships shifted and unraveled in real time. Moments of quiet are followed by bursts of confrontation and tension, keeping the audience leaning forward and wanting more (which is necessary for the almost 3-hour long performance).
Impressive Design
Supporting this immersive experience is the beautiful in-the-round set (Scenic Designer Charlie Calvert and Assistant Scenic Designer Gabby S. Trice), which blend traditional stone and tile textures with thoughtful, practical staging. The design makes use of the theater’s space, allowing scenes to unfold all around the audience and drawing viewers directly into the world of the play. It is simple but striking, allowing the actors and the story to remain the focus while still creating a visually dynamic environment.
The costumes (by Rainy Edwards) are equally impressive–thoughtful and full of texture and detail, grounding the production in a sense of time and place while still feeling accessible to a modern audience. Complimenting the costumes are immaculate wigs on the female characters (Kayla Cieslinki), small details that add another layer of craftsmanship to the production and help complete the world on stage.
Why Othello Endures and Speaks to Us
But what really stays with me is the reminder that sometimes the human experience can’t be fully expressed through words alone. Shakespeare’s language, of course, is extraordinary–but what this production captures so well are the feelings beneath the language. The grief, love, insecurity, and jealousy that live inside these characters and inside all of us.
Productions like this remind you that these classic plays have survived for so long. It’s not just because they’re beautifully written, but because they capture something essential and universal.
If you have the chance, go see it. Even if you think Shakespeare isn’t for you. Nay, especially if you think Shakespeare isn’t for you. Othello runs now through March 29th at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Get your tickets at https://cincyshakes.com/on-stage/othello.
