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"O.T.", A
Musical Retelling of Othello in Modern Times
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THE PLOT |
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"O.T." is a retelling of Othello in modern times in
which Othello, Owen Theodore Hulligan, O.T., is an Irish American
senator running for governor. Desdemona, Mona Perez, is a beautiful,
Hispanic reporter. They meet as she interviews him at the launching
of his campaign. A romance develops which totally captivates
the hereto repressed O.T. |
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The show opens at a political rally with much hoopla and the
chorus dancing and singing the praises of O.T. (He's For You
and Me). John (Iago) boasts that he and O.T. are a "winning
pair", but John, O.T.'s childhood friend and staunch supporter,
gets bypassed for the nomination as lieutenant governor when
O.T. surprises him by announcing the candidacy of Charlie Thompson
(Cassio), a black district attorney (Deeply Honored), believed
by the party to be a better running mate than John. Profoundly
wounded, John will later sing (My Chance Will Come!) about how
he has helped O.T. through "grief and doubt", and with
his life-long drinking problem. |
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O.T. has been totally devoted to his political career, in keeping
with a promise to his dearly departed, "saintly mother",
and to cherishing the memory of Carol, his virginal childhood
sweetheart--who died before their wedding. He silences the repressing
memories of his mother and his sweetheart (Voices From the Past),
and he and Mona crystallize their love in a passionate duet that
closes ACT I (Love Will Guide Us Tonight). But even in this very
passionate moment, O.T. still doubts Mona's love. |
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This "doubt" musical motif recurs as a reminder of
O.T.'s insecurity up to the tragic FINALE. It is the psychological
substrate on which John will plot, in classical Shakespearean
fashion, a revenge designed to destroy both O.T. and Charlie.
He will lead O.T. into believing that his sensuous Mona is having
an affair with Charlie. Instead, Charlie is having an affair
with Dora, Mona's best friend and O.T.'s assistant (I Promise
You, Dear Dora). Dora confides in Mona (I'll Never Leave Him)
and swears her to secrecy. Charlie is unhappily married and confesses
to O.T., John, and Jake (a young campaign aid), the sad state
of his marriage as he sings the blues (Charlie's Blues). This
provides good grounds for John to distort the facts and play
on O.T.'s worst doubts, fears, and stereotypical views of other
cultures. |
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In a soft shoe duet (Friendship), John recruits the naive Jake
into his plot to "help" O.T. John also manipulates
the feminist Annette, organizer of the campaign volunteers, and
drags her into the web of distortion that brings about the ultimate
disintegration of O.T., who collapses, drunk, at a rally. As
John's revenge unfolds, the press goes into a feeding frenzy,
described by two giggly young volunteers, Kelly and Tina (Living
in a Fish Bowl).
Mona changes from joyfully receiving a gift from O.T., a beautiful
shawl, and being deliriously happy at a presidential ball (where
her dancing with Charlie feeds into John's scheme), to tremulously
begging O.T. to believe in her (Mona's Plea). |
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But instead O.T. expresses his tormenting doubts (Jealousy).
Mona confides her sorrow in Dora (Mona's Grief), and her mother
warns her about O.T. In the pit of despair and alcoholism, O.T.
seeks guidance from Mother Superior, an old teacher. At the convent,
a choir of nuns sings (In Praise of Virtue). In a duet with O.T.,
the Mother Superior tells O.T. that he, not the girl, is the
sinner, and urges him to repent. |
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The climax approaches as John, who has picked up Mona's shawl
at a rally, tells Jake he found it in Charlie's car, and urges
him to show it to O.T. Believing the worst, O.T. confronts Mona
against the musical background of the love duet, and the ominous
voices from the past, and in a drunken, irrational frenzy, he
chokes her with the shawl. |
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"O.T." is not all tragedy. It has uproarious scenes:
rallies, a fair, a presidential ball, comedy and whimsy. It has
one happy ending: Charlie quits the race so he and Dora can have
a life together. This second romance and the comedic antics of
Jake (Johnny Believes the Party Screwed Him), Annette (All Men
Are the Same), and the volunteers (A Fine Candidate), provide
the audience with good laughs in contrast with the tragic ending
for O.T. and Mona, essential to the great Shakespearean story.
Musically, "O.T." is a uniquely American quilt that
weaves in and out of the multiple ethnic influences in harmony
and rhythm that make the American musical heritage so rich. It
is a cross-over between musical comedy and modern opera that
will leave you full of memorable melodies and rousing cadences. |
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"O.T., A Musical": Music, lyrics
and libretto by Mirta T. de la Torre Mulhare, © 1986-1994-2000.
All rights reserved. A Payanca Publications Production. CD available
from <AMAZON.COM>.
For more information, including score, parts, libretto, and performance
licensing, contact Payanca Publications by e-mail (otmusical@aol.com)
or fax (301-854-2306).
This Web page is a service of ixeh.net.
Copyright ©2001 by E. M. Mulhare, Hamilton, NY 13346 USA.
All rights reserved. Published electronically in ixeh.net
Arts. Original created 16-Oct-2001. Last modified 20-Oct-2001.
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