OTHELLO, MUCH ADO HIT JHS STAGE

Shakespeare returns to the Jackson High School stage this spring, with a pair of condensed classics from the bard.

The JHS Drama Club will present Othello and Much Ado About Nothing march 17-18 at 7 p.m. in the historic JHS auditorium.

The two productions, both shorter adaptations of the early 17th century master pieces, are currently in the rehearsal stage.

Othello, directed by student directors Tim Nicolai and Chris Shunk, is a 35-minute adaptation, as performed at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

It features Amanda Lowes and Blake Burress as the tragic couple, Desdemona and Othello. Jeni Zinner plays Emilia, while Tara Herbst is Bianca, Josh Pfefferkorn Iago and Zach Rice Cassio.

Much Ado About Nothing is a 1:15 adaptation that Tracy Fischer, JHS drama teacher, has put together. It will be student-directed by Mary Bono and Morgan Meyer.

Its cast includes Ryan Frenz as Don Pedro, prince of Arragon; David Koeller as Don John, his illegitimate brother; Tim Nicolai as Benedict, a young lord from Podua; Andy Conklin as Claudio, a young lord from Florence; Paul Gholson as Leonato, governor of Messina; Meredith Lape as his daughter Hero; and Lydia Blades as his niece Beatrice.

The rest of the cast includes Gabe Nash as Friar Francis, Matt Schaefer as Borachio, Luke Walker as the messenger/sexton; Jeni Zinner as Balthasar; Chris Shank as Conrade; Brett Price as Dogberry; Joe Gibbs as Verges; Jared Rouggly, Brad Friese and Jeff Koeller as watchmen; Heather Graham as Ursula and Tressa Honaas as Margaret.

Mary Bono, Erin Hyden, Sarah Lintner and Erica Masterson are waiting gentlewomen and party dancers, as well as understudies.

The 7:30 p.m. productions are $4 for adults and students.