Othello: A Dance in Three Acts at American Ballet Theatre

Over 75 seasons, American Ballet Theatre has performed many Shakespeare-inspired ballets. They include Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet (danced by Baryshnikov) and José Limon’s meditation on Othello, The Moor’s Pavane. In celebration of their Diamond Anniversary, the company has revived one of its most singular ballets, Lar Lubovitch’s Othello: A Dance in Three Acts. Not seen since 2007, the 1997 evening-long ballet is a tense, psychological dance drama deserving of more than four performances.  

Lubovitch, whose company is nearing its 50^th anniversary, is a modern choreographer with Broadway and ballet credits. His Othello expands the ballet vocabulary, giving dancers an opportunity to move and act without holding back. Courtiers look away and nod their disapproving heads in clipped unison whenever Othello (Marcelo Gomes) and Desdemona (Julie Kent) kiss. Iago (James Whiteside) grabs and pushes everyone in his way, especially his wife Emilia (Stella Abrera). Women watching the storm threatening the ship bringing back Othello and his victorious army sway like waves and jump with arms and legs in the shape of lightning bolts. Othello keeps placing his hands around Desdemona’s neck.

It is clear from Othello’s non-stop nervous wringing of hands before his wedding in Scene 1 that something is wrong. Initially, he conceals his destructive passion by dancing like a nobleman. However, once Iago’s lies take hold of his imagination he dances like a rabid animal. In Othello and Iago’s final duet, the corrupt ensign moves gracefully while the general dances distractedly.   

Elliot B Goldenthal’s original, stunning score sustains the deliberately off-center atmosphere. The Academy-award winner’s music is dark and dissonant – perfectly suited to this story of prejudice, power lust and insanity. The choreography and music come together brilliantly in Act II, “Tarantella”. As Cypriots perform the Sicilian dance of madness (led by Misty Copland’s Bianca), Iago plants further doubts into Othello’s mind. No wonder the composer made a symphony out of his ballet music.

Othello provides an opportunity to say goodbye to Julie Kent, who is retiring in June. Like Gomes, she has previously danced the ballet. They were fearless, being less than sympathetic. Desdemona is a thankless role, but Lubovitch gives her a lighthearted dance with her handkerchief, presented at this performance by Ms Kent’s son and daughter. Another beautiful moment came in the couple’s last duet when they looked at each other lovingly and a new ending seemed possible.  She will be missed.      

Patricia Contino
Photos: American Ballet Theatre

Othello: A Dance of Three Acts is on at the Metropolitan Opera House from 19th May until 21st May 2015, for further information or to book visit here. ABT appears at the Met through 4th July 2015, for tickets and further information, visit here.