“Once on This Island” at OSF
It was good to be back in the Bowmer Theater to for a fun evening that is full of energy, good singing, lively movement, and entertaining and meaningful music. Ozdachs' rating is 4 stars out of 5.
Othello
Ashland, Oregon at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Othello by William Shakespeare directed by Bill Rauch I know I have seen Othello before, at least a couple of times. But, I never experienced this deliberate, painful story with believable Evil, blinded goodness, and flawed purity. Other Othellos were classic SHAKESPEARE. This was 2018 artistry. I left the theater wondering if Othello's tragedy is personal or is the real sadness that racism, dislike of foreigners, faux-Christian superiority and male dominance has changed so little in 400+ years? Othello (Chris Butler) is certainly flawed and succumbs too completely to Iago's (Danforth Comins) suggestions of marital infidelity. [...]
Hannah and the Dread Gazebo
Ashland, Oregon at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Hannah and the Dread Gazebo :: Photo OSF Hannah and the Dread Gazebo by Jiehae Park WORLD PREMIERE At least half of the audience has a wonderful time seeing a fun show with amusing characters. But, make no mistake about what's amusing: Asian stereotypes speaking pigeon English while committing cultural faux pas that annoy the very "American" 20-something children of the butt of the jokes. 2017 audiences would not put up with a performance whose entertainment value hinged on older African Americans portrayed as lazy Stepin Fetchit's. That racism would not be considered amusing. But, apparently it's [...]