The Hawaii Shakespeare Festival (HSF) returns to The ARTS at Marks Garage in the heart of the downtown arts district to celebrate its seventh season with "Othello," opening July 18; "Henry V," opening August 8; and "Merchant of Venice," opening August 22. Each play runs two weekends.

The ARTS at Marks Garage, already known for edgy, independent productions, will be transformed into an intimate, 72-seat thrust theatre with the audience surrounding the action and no seat farther than 10 feet from the stage.

The 2008 season begins with "Othello," one of Shakespeare's greatest, and most intimate, tragedies. When Othello promotes Michael Cassio over the ambitious Iago to the position of lieutenant, Iago is consumed with jealousy. He begins a campaign to destroy his general, manufacturing evidence of a love affair between Cassio and Othello's new bride, Desdemona. Othello gradually succumbs to Iago's evil ... "Othello" is guest-directed by Scott Rogers and stars Derrick Brown as Othello, Todd Coolidge as Iago and Jessica Ciufo as Desdemona.

The season continues with an all-female production of "Henry V." To fulfill the promise of his transformation from idle youth (in "Henry IV," parts 1 and 2) to new-crowned king, Henry launches a war to reclaim France for England. Featuring some of Shakespeare's most stirring speeches and culminating in the famous battle of Agincourt where the French outnumbered the English five to one. "Henry V" is directed by Tony Pisculli and stars Elizabeth Wolfe as King Henry and Erin SuJan Kim as Chorus and features original live percussion from Damned Spot Drums.

The festival concludes with the tragi-comedy "Merchant of Venice." Shakespeare began writing a comedy but ended up creating Shylock, one of his first true tragic characters. The play contrasts the aristocratic and romantic world of Belmont, where people risk everything for love, with the mercantile world of Venice, where people risk everything for profit. "Merchant of Venice" is guest-directed by Linda Johnson and stars Stephen Mead as Shylock, Robert St. John as Antonio and Danielle Vivarttas-Ahrnsbrak as Portia.

Season tickets are $42. Tickets for individual shows are $10 on Thursdays, $14 for Sunday matinees and $18 on Friday and Saturday night with no other discounts. Tickets for all HSF shows are available through Honolulu Box Office by calling 550-TIKS (550-8457) or online at www.HonoluluBoxOffice.com. For more information, including maps and directions, visit www.HawaiiShakes.org.

Related Link:

• www.hawaiishakes.org/08season

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