HONOLULU THEATRE FOR YOUTH Jonathan Sypert displays athletic grace and rapping skill as Cassio in Honolulu Theatre's hip hop presentation of "Othello."

HTY’s hip hop ‘Othello’
enriched by strong cast
and clever direction

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By John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.com

Rap music and other manifestations of hip-hop culture have never been used more effectively in local theater than in Honolulu Theatre for Youth's current production of "Othello." HTY is far from the first to take one of Shakespeare's stories into a different era or cultural context, but playwright Y York and her husband, HTY artistic director Mark Lutwak, do a masterful job of it here.

York not only reframes the story as a hip-hop love triangle, but tells it with only four characters -- five counting DJ Jedi, who backs the other four on the ones-and-twos. Lutwak's direction keeps the story moving smoothly. Not a line is wasted. Not a moment drags.

The key soliloquies are presented as modern G-rated rap. The lyrics are catchy. The emotions remain intact.

'Othello' Presented by Honolulu Theatre for Youth Where: Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew's Cathedral When: 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Feb. 23 Tickets: $10 adults; $7.50 students (ages 11 through college); $5 youth (ages 3 to 10) and seniors (60 and older); free for keiki under 3 Call: 839-9885

York's adaptation simplifies the plot as well. She redefines Iago, one of Shakespeare's most malevolent villains, as Desdemona's longtime friend and confidante. We learn that Iago was in love with Desdemona long before the exotic and dynamic Moor came into the picture and won her heart. In York's telling of the story, Iago's decision to destroy Othello is driven as much by his unrequited love for Desdemona as by Othello's promotion of Cassio.

In short, it's that classic Frankie and Johnny, "If I can't have you, nobody will," thing.

And so, it seems reasonable if Iago appears at one point to be wavering and actually willing to set his darkest schemes aside if he can just convince Desdemona to leave Othello and choose him. However, when Iago tells Desdemona that he loves her, she plays it off like he's joking and laughs in his face. At that point her fate is sealed. (York's Desdemona also seems a bit overly flirtatious in an early scene and apparently oblivious to the effect her femininity has on her male pals Cassio and Iago.)

It's a story that could be playing out for real in a high school near you.

LUTWAK COAXES strong performances from an excellent cast, although casting BullDog as Iago alters the visual balance a bit. BullDog, a versatile actor, has such inherent talent and appeal as a comic actor that it takes a while to accept him as a ruthless villain. He and Lutwak portray Iago as exuding far less malevolence than Richard MacPherson brought to Kumu Kahua's ambitious but problematic 1996 production; BullDog actually got plenty of laughs Tuesday while performing at Pearl City High School.

HONOLULU THEATRE FOR YOUTH Take that! Jonathan Sypert, as Cassio, braces for a hit from Iago, played by BullDog, in HTY's hip hop rendition of "Othello."

Jonathan Sypert (Cassio) quickly establishes himself as the most accomplished dancer, acrobat and rapper, and is appropriately earnest and gullible in the role of Iago's pawn. Sypert's physical prowess made him a big hit on Tuesday.

Charles Timtim towers over the others and likewise gives a commanding performance in the title role. Nara Springer quickly touches the heart as the appealing innocent who nevertheless seems in York's adaptation to contribute to her own destruction.

Casey Cameron (costumes) does Po'okela-worthy work in defining the relationships visually. BullDog, Springer and Sypert wear contemporary military camouflage in varying patterns. Timtim is dressed in black and has a facial tattoo; a black overcoat adds to his stature. A red scarf Othello gives to Desdemona when he arrives on Cyprus becomes the "token" Iago uses to destroy them.

Othello's emotional turmoil and disintegration are reflected visually by his growing dishevelment. Timtim has stripped down to trousers and a white undershirt by the time the final scene unfolds.

Tony Pisculli's fight choreography also adds to the visual impact of the show. The overall quality of the production and the importance of the subjects it addresses -- trust, jealousy, betrayal, false friends, the toxic nature of rumors spread by members of either sex -- make HTY's "Othello" excellent entertainment for teens and of interest to adults as well.

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