Guthrie Theater brings Shakespeare's "Othello" to Power Center
ANN ARBOR Ñ The Guthrie Theater's acclaimed production of Shakespeare's "Othello" comes to Ann Arbor under University Musical Society auspices for five performances, Thursday, March 4 through Sunday, March 7 in the Power Center for the Performing Arts (121 Fletcher Street). Under the direction of Joe Dowling, artistic director of the Guthrie Theater, "Othello" is part of the Guthrie's first national tour in 17 years, presented as part of the National Endowment for the Arts' Shakespeare in American Communities initiative. In addition to the public performances, the Guthrie will present a full-length youth performance for area high school students and participate in several educational activities, including visits to U-M and Washtenaw Community College classes as well as in-school appearances at area high schools.
Chronologically following "Hamlet" and preceding "King Lear" and "Macbeth," "Othello, the Moor of Venice" (ca. 1601-04) ranks among Shakespeare's four major tragedies. His reworking of a 16th century Cinthio plot reveals with compelling poetic depth, tragic inevitability and intense dramatic engagement, the ambiguous power and fragility of love, as well as the destructive demons of doubt and suspicion that can be so effectively triggered by a cunning villain. The agony at the center of the tragedy is captured most precisely when Othello admits to Desdemona that "when I love thee not/Chaos is come again." The play is a tragedy of love misunderstood, trust misplaced, and lives ruined by blatant lies and denigrating fabrications.
For tickets or additional information, contact the University Musical Society at 734-764-2538 or online at http://www.ums.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the League Ticket Office (911 North University Avenue.
Performance Network honors Angels
ANN ARBOR – The Performance Network invites the community to join together on Feb. 27 and toast the success of Ann Arbor's professional theater with its annual Angel of the Arts Awards.
The fundraising event includes a silent auction, dinner, awards, a tag sale, tours, dessert, live entertainment and champagne tables.
The "Angel of the Arts" award recognizes a business or individual whose contributions to the arts in Ann Arbor have had a significant impact on the financial stability of the performing arts community, through fundraising efforts, financial contributions, in-kind contributions, political advocacy or a combination of all of the above. Throughout theatre history, the term "Angel" has been used to refer to one with the highest level of support and appreciation for the arts. This year's award honors one such patron, Phyllis Wright, who is one of the most beloved leading ladies and supporters of arts in the Ann Arbor community.
The "Spirit of the Theatre" award is given to a theatre artist whose achievement has had a lasting effect on the quality and aesthetic of the Theatre arts in our area, through innovation, dedication, vision and creativity. The "Spirit" of the Theatre is considered to be one which constantly strives for the highest level of artistic quality in spite of all circumstances and often in the face of great sacrifice. It is the manifestation of that Spirit in our community of local artists which we salute. This year's recipient is Daniel C. Walker, the group's previous artistic director who lifted Performance Network's reputation to its current standing as one of the finest theatres in Michigan.
For more information about the Angel of the Arts Awards, please call 734-663-0681.
