Desdemona: A Play About a Handkerchief by Paula Vogel

This year the Sessoms Visiting Artist is Kate Powers, a prominent theater artist from New York City who is directing "Desdemona: A Play About a Handkerchief." A powerful play written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel. Visit http://www.wlu.edu/theater-dance-and-film/about-the-department/the-richard-b-sessoms-visiting-artists-fund for more information.

The Richard B. Sessoms Visiting Artists Fund in Theater was established by Dwight H. Emanuelson and his wife, Claire Emanuelson, in October, 2011, to honor their friend, Dick Sessoms, for his outstanding service to Washington and Lee from 1980 to 2004.

Othello is the story of a man driven to unwarranted jealousy by his trusted lieutenant. But what if it wasn't?

Paula Vogel's modern take on the women in Shakespeare's Othello examines the relationships between the only three women in this classic tale of betrayal: Desdemona (the wife), Emilia (the maid), and Bianca (the lover).

What if Desdemona isn't as virtuous as she appears? What is the real reason Emilia betrays Desdemona? What in the world does Bianca have to do with anything?

Part Sex and the City and part social commentary, this comedy looks at the distinct possibility that Bianca, Emilia and Desdemona have aspirations outside of the roles to which a patriarchal society has confined them.

This play is for mature audiences.

Tickets are required.
All tickets are $5