Nebraska Wesleyan University is marking the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death with six shows by and inspired by the Bard. The spring season begins with “Othello” and a new take on same play called “Desdemona.”
“Desdemona: A Play About A Handkerchief” is a new look at “Othello” from the perspective of the classic’s female characters. Performances are February 11-13 at 7:30 p.m., February 14 at 2 p.m., February 19-20 and February 26-27 at 10:30 p.m. All shows will be held in the Studio Theatre, located at 2710 North 48th Street.
“Othello,” a Shakespeare tragedy that intertwines love, race, betrayal and revenge, runs February 18-20 and February 25-27 at 7:30 p.m. with matinee performances on February 21 and February 28 at 2 p.m. All shows will be held in Miller Theatre, located at 51st Street and Huntington Ave.
Admission is $10 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and students, or see both shows for $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased online at theatre.nebrwesleyan.edu or reserve them at the box office at 402.465.2384.
The season’s remaining Shakespeare productions include:
- Illyria — a musical interpretation of “Twelfth Night”; March 17-20, March 31-April 3
- Mrs. Shakespeare — April 7-10, April 14-17
- Kiss Me, Kate — a musical interpretation of “The Taming of the Shrew”; April 20, April 22-24, April 28, April 30, May 1
- The Taming of the Shrew — performed with the same cast as “Kiss Me, Kate”, April 21, April 23-24, April 27, April 29-May 1
On April 23 — the anniversary of Shakespeare’s death — NWU will display an exhibit of privately owned Shakespeare artifacts including “Shakespeare’s World in Early Print and Manuscript,” pieces where Shakespeare is listed as an actor, and a first-folio leaf. The artifacts are owned by NWU faculty.