Othello (The Public Theater)

See it if you enjoy straightforward productions of Shakespeare that are not adventurous with the interpretation. Strong cast and intense scenes.

Don't see it if you find it difficult to sit through a 3 hour Shakespeare play. You prefer comedies or musicals.

See it if you like great actors in a traditional but gripping and vibrant performance of one of the world's great plays.

Don't see it if you're sure you don't like Shakespeare and don't want to try again even with a very clear and persuasive production.

See it if you like Shakespeare and a play that closely relates to incidents occurring in our time today

Don't see it if It's raining. My show was cancelled as a result of downpours just as the show was reaching its climax. Hoping to go back to see it again!

See it if you get tickets!

Don't see it if you can't sit still for 3 hours

See it if ... Shakespeare In The Park is an important, longstanding theatrical tradition in the city. A must-see for any theatregoer.

Don't see it if you don’t like Shakespeare.

Also ... Chukwudi Iwuji gives a masterful and powerful performance as Othello ... Heather Lind, a gorgeous, angelic, unwavering Desdemona ... Corey Stoll’s Iago and Alison Wright’s Emilia, both excellent. My only criticism is that I wish Stoll hadn't stayed so casual throughout the second act.... Read more Read less

See it if For Corey Stoll’s Iago, a revelation. A modern read on love, hate, race and corruption. And, yes, the price of jealousy

Don't see it if You are a Shakespeare purist. This is not that.

See it if no gimmicks, just bravura acting by cast particularly Iago/Stoll, Desdemona/Lind, Othello/Iwuji, Emilia/Wright; devastating end

Don't see it if not try 2 reinvent/reinterpret play; just lets glorious script on nature of evil/ gullibility/jealousy/men's cruelty 2 women speak 4 itself

Also Central puzzle in play - why Iago hates and plans Othello's destruction remains obscure in this version. In prior production, Christopher Plummer, in a matchless performance, plays Iago in a chillingly rational manner so as to suggest that Iago’s motivation is to protect the social order vs. what he views as a dark, alien force.... Read more Read less

See it if You like great acting, clarity in direction and intelligent portrays of every character. Brilliant leads make every moment absorbing.

Don't see it if If you have a hard time with 3 hour productions or the portrayal of pure evil on stage (Iago). This brilliant production hits hard.

Also My benchmark for Othello was Christopher Plumber as Iago and James Earl Jones as Othello. Though totally different in approach Corey Stoll and Chukwudi Iwuji equal and in some area best those performance. Definitive production.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an well-played, conventional staging of one of Shakespeare's finest works. Stoll is especially compelling as Iago.

Don't see it if You've seen a bunch of Othellos already. Although Desdemona's death scene is particularly well-staged, the last two acts felt slow.

See it if Straightforward Shakespeare with brilliant ensemble , gorgeous costumes and The incomparable Delacorte Theater on a perfect summer night

Don't see it if You don’t like a traditional and not modern take or can’t take the distractions of outdoor theater like the raccoons that traverse the stage

Also Great ensemble and beautifully directed production with outstanding performances by Allison Wright and Corey Stoll... Read more Read less

See it if Classic Shakespeare done with great direction and acting. Done in traditional style in no frills but perfect.

Don't see it if you want some modern version or insipid production. 3 hours long but worth it.

See it if you want to see a Shakespeare play that isn't often done in NY, with a great performance by Alison Wright as Emilia (stay to the end).

Don't see it if you don't like Shakespeare (what's wrong with you?), long plays, or outdoor theater.

See it if You love Shakespeare, serious drama, and timeless themes of love, jealousy, gender and race.

Don't see it if If you prefer musicals, comedy or simple stories...or do not like iambic pentameter.

See it if If you truly enjoy great portrayals of famous characters, prefer traditional productions of Shakespeare.

Don't see it if You cannot sit through a full on unabridged 3 hour production, not a fan of Shakespeare, Not one for tragedy and violence.

Also I'm sure one of the bigger highlights of the first preview was the sudden guest star appearance of the Raccoon trying to go from one side of the stage to the other. It seemed so well timed as it started to walk on stage as Corey Stoll was done with his aside.

Speaking of which, Corey Stoll as Iago was FANTASTIC. I think he was perfect for the role. Chuk was amazing as Othello as was Alison Wright in the role of Emilia. I was very much enthralled in the acting done by the entire cast. Definitely cannot be missed.... Read more Read less

See it if you like watching a well directed play with good actors performing classic Shakespeare.

Don't see it if you don't enjoy Shakespeare

See it if you love your Shakespeare straight-forward: immortal words, beautifully, classically acted, in exquisite costumes, under an open sky

Don't see it if you want a modern version of this play, cannot sit for 3+ hours to listen to words from the greatest playwright who ever lived

Also Chukwudi Iwuji as Othello, Corey Stoll as Iago and Allison Wright as Emilia are just STUNNING. The sword fights & (some of )the murder scenes are somewhat underwhelming, except for the last one where Othello does Desdemona in: the subtlety was devastating from where I was sitting.... Read more Read less

See it if You like deep traditional theater. Masterfully done. Great staging and directing.

Don't see it if Its three hours long so you must love Shakespeare.

See it if you are a lover of Shakespeare and want to see a more traditional staging of this tragedy.

Don't see it if you have a hard time understanding Shakespeare or don't think you can sit through a 3-hour outdoor production.

Also I'll admit, I went into this play with some hesitation; I truly love Shakespeare but find it a lot harder to stay focused during his tragedies, especially when I knew I would be outside and shivering for 3 hours (I went on a cold day). This production, however, kept me completely engaged. The acting company was incredibly skilled across the board; I must especially give praise to Corey Stoll's Iago, whose humor and generosity with the role kept him from becoming a one-note villain. Heather Lind as Ophelia was radiant and strong, and Alison Wright's Emilia was a scene-stealing force. As Othello, Chukwudi Iwuji gave a masterclass in Shakespearean acting, emphasizing the character's love, rather than his wrath. The show's true strength came from the choice to keep it period-appropriate. Shakespeare productions often get bogged down in modern "concepts," but Ruben Santiago-Hudson's direction allowed the language to shine through in a clean, beautiful staging.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a great production of one of the Bard's masterpieces. This classic production is beautifully staged and acted.

Don't see it if you don't like Shakespeare but even then you should give it a shot

See it if If you love Shakespeare and great acting in a beautiful outdoor setting. A must for the summer.

Don't see it if Do not see if you are not into Shakespeare’s plays. This is not a light drama or a musical.

See it if you want to see a skilled actor master an iconic role (Corey Stoll as Iago), or just plain enjoy Shakespeare in the Park.

Don't see it if you need this to be the most flawless Othello you've ever seen, or you dislike the Park experience.

Also This Othello is worth it for Stoll's performance alone, a deft, witty, modern turn as one of the canon's greatest villains. Some elements of the production felt like they were still working out the kinks (it was early in previews), but overall an enjoyable and satisfying performance of a classic play.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Corey Stoll (which I very much do); you love Othello, or haven't seen Othello, and are able to snag tickets.

Don't see it if it's raining; you don't have the patience for Shakespeare.

Also I saw it a few previews in and it seemed like maybe they were still working out a few kinks with the final scene and pacing. The aftermath of the death scene left a little to be desired -- it was a little strange and drawn out, and relaxed? That was honestly my only issue with the production. I've seen a lot of Othellos... interesting staging, which I appreciated (just seeing something unexpected and different).

But I love Shakespeare in the Park and will see anything I'm able to get tickets to. And it's worth seeing for Corey Stoll's Iago. He is so good.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an intelligently acted and staged production. This is what Shakespeare plays must have looked like a hundred years ago.

Don't see it if you have a short attention span. You need contemporary references to make Shakespeare relevant. You want fancy production design.

See it if you like your Shakespeare told in a straight forward manner with Stoll, a superb Iago & excellent performances by Iwuji, Lind & Wright.

Don't see it if you're​ not up to a 3 hour performance, no matter how well done.

Also The set was functional, but not very imaginative.

See it if Very efficient; great clarity; Iwuji and Stoll chemistry anchors the two leads; all the humor lands to balance the relentless sorrow of show

Don't see it if Balance of humor with tragedy may lessen the impact for some; spare set design feels cheap compared to past SITP productions