Berkeley Art Scene

Join Berkeley Food & Housing Project along with California Shakespeare Theater for this amazing free performance of Shakespeare’s Othello on Wed., Oct 19, 3-5pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley at 2407 Dana St. in Berkeley.

Beginning in the romantic Mediterranean setting of Venice, Shakespeare’s Othello moves to the exotic island of Cyprus, where all possibility of romance transforms into tragedy.

“Black. Muslim. Outsider. These are the labels Shakespeare’s most famous Moor has carried with him as he’s climbed the military ranks. Having survived battle after battle in faraway lands, Othello’s greatest tragedy lies in those closest to him: his trusted friend, his beloved wife and himself.

“In his Cal Shakes directorial debut, artistic director, Eric Ting, will face our society’s fear of “the other” head on with this provocative investigation of Othello.” (BFHP and California Shakespeare Theater’s invitation)

According to Cal Shakes’ House Manager Jane Eisner’s Sept. 30 blog post, she witnessed every night of Othello in its run from Sept. 14 – Oct. 9 at the Bruns Amphitheater in Orinda.

James Carpenter as lago and Aldo Billingslea as Othello in California Shakespeare Theater’s production of OTHELLO, directed by Eric Ting – Photo/Alessandra Mello

“ To some, this may sound like a nightmare (!); to others, a dream come true. For me, it tends to be the latter. Ultimately the best way I can describe my nightly experience at Othello is like being a tightrope walker: I carefully navigate each step of the line straddling two extremes: the lovers and the haters. Whichever way the wind blows, the House staff and I navigate the sea of polarizing opinions we’ve been cast into. No matter what happens during the show, one thing continuously stands true: no night is the same.”

Different from other shows, this production of Othello asks for the audience’s input with a Q&A just at that crucial moment! This involvement most likely would have pleased Shakespeare. You can register here for this free special production for the Berkeley Food & Housing Project. Thank you Cal Shakes.

This event is open to all community members.

Where?
First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley
Mears Hall
2407 Dana St in Berkeley (Dana & Haste)

When?
Wed., Oct. 19, 2016, 3 – 5pm

What?
Theater For All: Shakespeare Comes to Berkeley Food & Housing Project

About Theater for All

Berkeley Food & Housing Project (BFHP) is hosting a special performance of Othello as performed by California Shakespeare Theater’s cast. Everyone is invited. Cal Shakes experiments with ways to integrate art more deeply into community life. Part of their mission is to bring theater to community-based organizations and underserved audiences to discover what happens when the powerful tools of theater artists are mobilized and integrated into broader civic dialogue. Theater is better when everyone is in the audience.
Though this performance is free to the community, donations are appreciated so that Berkeley Food and Housing Project can continue its mission to ease and end the crisis of homelessness in our community. They provide emergency food and shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing and housing placement with support services to homeless individuals and families.