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vaughn-RIAN
PLAYERS
OTHELLO
TRAILER
“The world is a place where we live but the
Theatre is a place where we thrive”
...vaughn-Rian St.James
REVIEWS
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Beach’s Upper End Tuesday, October 9, 2007 DON’T FORGET THE RINKER By James Bryan Anderson THE RINKER THEATRE AT THE KRAVIS CENTER IS NOT A PLACE TO BE OVERLOOKED BY THEATRE-GOERS. STOMP, the world-famous entertaining show appeared at the Kravis Center for Performing Arts last weekend, drawing crowds of all ages and backgrounds from all over South Florida. But during this touring performance, just next door in the Kravis’ Rinker Theatre, a much more classic art was being performed. Vaughn-Rian’s Players, a theatre group from Miami, Florida was performing William Shakespeare’s OTHELLO. Having written for papers over 13 years, I have seen my share of William Shakespeare. However, this particular version, adapted by the director, Vaughn-Rian St. James, gives an interesting twist- the title role of the Moor (usually played by a strong Male actor), is played- by St. James herself. A strong and captivating actor, the audience has difficulty remembering St. James is a woman throughout the show. The story of OTHELLO is that the title character, who is a black Moor, weds Desdemona (Ivonne Espinales) against her father’s will (played by the talented Steve Schlam). The show’s villain, Iago (Xavier Dubrocq) creates havoc, making Othello believe that his new wife has been unfaithful to him by messing around with Cassio (Jeremy Smith). This eventually leads to Othello’s own demise. Dubrocq gives memorable and believable performance as the evil Iago. Other strong performances in the show include Desdemona’s cousin, Ludvico played by the young Giovanni Penagos, and Rodrego, who once loved Desdemona, played by Manuel de la Portilla. Other actors in the show include Raquel Merediz, Michel Germain, Nelson Diaz, Ivette Hernandez-Madrid and Steven Chambers. The costumes, designed by Paula Villar, are magnificent. The other technical aspects of the show run well, making this production of Shakespeare abnormally smooth, however there are moments in the show that are not necessary; one being a dance that Desdemona and Othello perform on their wedding eve that is out of tune with the rest of the show. And there are times when Quintessential Shakespeare comes into play (When Desdemona speaks after she is dead), but the Bard is the Bard. Overall, the evening was very enjoyable. When searching for something to do over the weekend, make sure you don’t overlook the Rinker Theatre at the Kravis. |