Othello & Otis

Poetic, at times dream-like, interspersed with moments of honesty— giving us a Brechtian wake up call. Well done again, Bag O Bones. ... full review

This was really beautiful and moving. Managed to succinctly talk about many different aspects of race relations in America in 45 minutes. Performances were all great. ... full review

Could not get up after this ended. I found myself so heavy with I don’t know what afterwards, I could not get up. Maybe because the denial it takes to abide by our system and administration is getting harder for allies like myself to ignore, yet still leaves me light. But having to actually feel the weight of the story of another’s brutal realizations at 5 years old and everyday since left me heavy and unable to move, in ways I’ve not quite heard before (referring specifically to Francesca Gamez’s monologue about the American Flag). That is theater that makes me FEEL something. Bravo! A poetic piece that uses dance, movement, a cappella singing and more to lay out the state of injustice beautifully, unapologetically and quite matter-of-factl... full review

An intense and grounding experience (from the program to the final blackout), this production mixes movement, audience immersion, music, and devised/documentary theater to call audiences to examine their own privileges and biases and look through the eyes of others.... full review

POWERFUL. Such an important show with an abundance of topics and themes to discuss after leaving the theatre. ... full review

An important perspective and dialogue to have through the lens of black artists, characters, and public figures throughout history. This divised piece combines elements of song, chants, dance, movement, speeches, and text. With a timeline in the program dating back to 1607 when slaves were brought to Jamestown, VA, and continues through many major horrors and milestones effecting African Americans, to present day, where the quote “I’m terrified at the moral apathy – the death of the heart – which is happening in my country.” rang true.... full review

A necessary piece of theatre in this day and age and a must see at the 2018 Fringe.... full review

Art with awareness. Othello & Otis carries a strong sociological message with challenging themes, songs, and monologues. It would be lucrative to walk out of this theater and not feel something. If you don't, then you are part of the problem and dismissing the very nature of this piece. There are some chilling moments during stomp-n'-clap driven musical numbers accompanied by the haunting, vibrato laden pipes of the featured singer (I don't have my program to reference her name.) The show does not have plot, characters or storytelling on its mind. That is NOT a fault, rather just a fact of this devised work. Its purpose seems to have the intent to engage and encourage people to not only listen, but to act. If you see something wrong... full review

Othello & Otis is poetry in motion. This production is stirring and startling, in the way it so eloquently shows the inner lives of African Americans. It interweaves the searing truth of scholar James Baldwin's words, the mystery and heartbreak of Othello, with deftly used dance and soaring soulful vocals to create a highly memorable experience. I could not recommend this production more to those who are searching for more empathy in this United States. ... full review

Othello and Otis inspires me. The ecclectic juxtaposition of Elizabethan era sentiments on humanity with political comments on modern times and soulful music painted a picture of Western Civilization's struggle with race. ... full review