March 29, 2002

Contact: Charla Jenkins, University Theatre, (785) 864-2684.

KU Theatre to present women's view of 'Othello' tale

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas William Inge Memorial Theatre Series will take another look at William Shakespeare's "Othello" -- this time from the female point of view -- when it stages "Desdemona, a Play About a Handkerchief" by Paula Vogel. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. April 4-7 and 9-12 in the Inge Theatre in Murphy Hall.

The play was originally produced in association with Circle Repertory Company by the Bay Street Theatre Festival in New York in July 1993. The KU production is directed by Joy Richmond, Houston doctoral student. Lighting designer is Daniel Waters, Wichita junior; combat choreographer and movement coach is Megan Shea, Quincy, Mass., graduate student. Sound designer, along with Richmond, is Greg Albrecht, Emerson, Neb., junior; and voice and dialect coach is Paul Meier, KU associate professor of theatre and film.

Set in the palace on Cyprus on the eve of Desdemona's death, the play looks at the three women from "Othello" and tells the story from their perspectives. Vogel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, has said she often wondered whether Shakespeare's Desdemona was as innocent as she is portrayed, so she wrote the dark comedy to take another look at the well-known story.

Richmond said that in Vogel's version of the story, the audience discovers Desdemona's secret: She has slept with everyone except Cassio, whom Othello accuses her of sleeping with.

Richmond plans to use cinematic conventions to give the audience "a behind-the-scenes look at what Shakespeare's women are really up to while the men are doing their 'thing' in Shakespeare's play." The director said that while a knowledge of "Othello" adds to the satire of Vogel's play, even people not familiar with Shakespeare's play will be able to follow.

A third-year doctoral student, Richmond is specializing in theatre history and Irish drama and theatre. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Her previous directing experience includes "Six Degrees of Separation" and "Another Antigone," both produced by the University Playhouse in Commerce, Texas.

General admission tickets for the Inge Theatre production are on sale through the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, (785) 864-3982; Lied Center, (785) 864-ARTS; and SUA, (785) 864-7469; and online at www.kutheatre.com. Tickets cost $12 for the public, $6 for all students and $11 for senior citizens. The production deals with adult themes and includes strong language.

Talk-back sessions with the director and cast members will take place after each performance.

Members of the cast include (listed by name, class, parents' names, home address, and role):

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka
Kalila Dalton, freshman, daughter of Dan and Brenda Dalton, 2100 Kentucky Ave.; Foley artist.

MINNESOTA
From Eden Prairie
Mo Perry, junior, daughter of Richard and Deborah Perry, 11198 Burr Ridge Lane; Emilia.

MISSOURI
From Ballwin
Adrienne Lamping, junior, daughter of Libby Beck and Dr. Dan Lamping, 640 Wood Fern Drive; Bianca.

OKLAHOMA
From Cushing
Sara K. Armstrong, graduate student, daughter of Thomas and Judith Armstrong, Rt. 1, Box 2250; Desdemona.