'WHAT FIRE' LIGHTS UP JHS STAGE (A REVIEW)

Hero (Meredith Lape, sitting), her father Leonato (Paul Gholson) and her cousin Beatrice (Lydia Blades, left) were stunned by Claudio (Andy Conklin)'s accusations during Much Ado About Nothing. The friar (center) was Gabe Nash. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

The doomed Desdemona (Amanda Lowes, left) was comforted by loyal handmaiden Emilia (Jeni Zinner) during Othello. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

Of all pre-20th century writers, none seemed to capture the modern essence of 20th century romance like William Shakespeare.

In humor, in tragedy, in writing of the great kings of England and other lands and in chronicling the lives of the most common of peasants, Shakespeare had an eye for detail and a love of plot twists. Shakespearean tradition has been kept alive at Jackson high School, with a second successive spring rendition of a Shakespeare classic. The JHS Drama Club presented "What Fire is in Mine Ears?" featuring condensed versions of Othello and Much Ado About Nothing. In the two plays, the Bard examined how bungled communication -- with the help of a willing villain -- could lead to tragic or comic consequences.

Othello

Wearing the frowning mast of the tragedian, Shakespeare crafted this play of innocent love distrusted. It centers around Othello (Blake Burress), a leading general of foreign birth, who has recently married an Athenian girl,

Desdemona (Amanda Lowes). The plot arises from the designs of a rebuffed officer under Othello. Iago (Josh Pfefferkorn), Othello's ensign, and a battle-proven veteran, cannot stomach that bookish Cassio (Zach Rice) has the coveted position as Othello's lieutenant. He concocts a villainous plan to convince Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair.

His plan works better than he had hoped, as the enraged Othello murders Desdemona in her bed, then kills himself after realizing he had been deceived. Desdemona's ever-loyal personal servant Emilia (Jeni Zinner) also dies.

The 35-minute version of Othello moves at a brisk pace, yet maintains the master's touch. Directed by Tracy Fisher, with student directors Chris Shank and Tim Nicolai assisting, the play brims with energy and emotion.

As with most JHS productions, everyone is solid. Rice is gaining stage experience and seems at ease as Cassio, the unsuspecting pawn in the ploy. So, too, does Tara Herbst as Bianca, who pursues Cassio. While neither gets a terrible amount of stage time, both turn in strong performances.

Lowes and Zinner have good chemistry together as Desdemona and her devoted servant. Lowes reacts well to all stimuli around her -- Othello's avarice, coldness and eventual deadly violence, Cassio's pandering and Emilia's attempts at comfort.

Burress carries a lion's share of the spotlight with the title role. Strong and forceful and a bit arrogant, Othello is used to giving orders and to receiving complete loyalty -- from soldiers and lovers. Burress brings home the goods with a forceful interpretation of the tragic general.

Of course the play is written for a powerful Iago to steal the show and Pfefferkorn comes through. A strutting black-booted persona of pride, vengeance and trickery, Pfefferkorn's Iago flatters, panders, tricks and bullies his way to get what he wants -- the coveted lieutenant's position.

Pfefferkorn takes the role with full gusto and turns in a marvelous performance.

Although it runs just 35 minutes, Othello comes alive with a spirit that would make the Bard proud.

Much Ado About Nothing

The nightcap of the program is a longer, even more complicated, but definitely lighter play. It sees war hero Don Pedro (Ryan Frenz), his despicable brother Don John (David Koeller) and his armies arrive at the home of Governor Leonato (Paul Gholson) of Messina for an extended visit.

While there, one of Don Pedro's leading officers, Claudio (Andy Conklin) falls for Leonato's daughter Hero (Meredith Lape). Meanwhile, the host's niece, Beatrice (Lydia Blades) has an ongoing feud that hints of romance, with another officer, Benedick (Tim Nicolai).

While Don Pedro, Claudio, Hero and others decide to have some fun with Benedick and Beatrice, convincing each that the other is in love with him/her. Their harmless ploy works like magic, bringing the two together by the end.

Unfortunately for the characters, Don John's not-so-innocent plot also works. The jealous young brother cannot stand it when he hears that Claudio is going to wed Hero. With the help of his loyal minion Borachio (Matt Schaefer), he plots to ruin the wedding by convincing Claudio that Hero has been unfaithful with Borachio.

He succeeds -- at least temporarily -- and Claudio dramatically denounces a stunned Hero in the middle of the wedding ceremony. The truth finally comes out, though -- in part thanks to bumbling constables Dogberry and (Brett Price) and Verges (Joe Gibbs) and three questionable witnesses (Jared Rouggly, Barad Friese and Jeff Koeller)

The entire cast is strong. The lengthy cast list also includes Luke Walker, Zinner, Chris Shank, Heather Graham, Tressa Honaas, Mary Bono, Erin Hyden, Sarah Lintner and Erica Masterson. Student directors were Bono and Morgan Meyer.

Price, after holding non-speaking or stoic parts I the past, gets to ham it up for once as the Barney Fife-like Dogberry. He and Gibbs provide plenty of merriment with their buffoonery. The contemporary sheriff's-style uniform of Dogberry and Keystone Cops outfit of Verges is a bit befuddling in a 1600 setting -- then again, the reviewer can offer no better ideas to what a 1600 law enforcement uniform would look like. Koeller, Schaeffer and Shank are believable as the villains, while the three watchmen are solid, too. The arrest scene is a highlight. The ladies in waiting, as well as Graham as Ursula and Honaas as Margaret and Gabe Nash as Friar Francis, all look solid. Zinner's lute music adds a nice period touch to the production.

Gholson is convincing as Leonato and reacts well with Lape. Frenz does quite well in tackling the understated Don Pedro. A good-natured noble, he lacks the haughty grandeur that an Othello carries. Frenz and Conklin react well together and with Nicolai and the various females.

Lape turns in another memorable performance as Hero, ranging from love-struck to teasing, to humiliated. Blades excels in the tough role of Beatrice. From exchanging clever barbs with Nicolai, to expressing shock while hiding behind "trees," to reluctantly falling in love, to passionately demanding revenge for her wronged cousin, she turns in sparkling performance.

Nicolai, meanwhile, never met a spotlight he didn't like. In the role of Benedick, he gets the opportunity to carry the lion's share of a full production and does so with aplomb. Exchanging insults and later endearments with Blades, extolling the virtues of bachelorhood (once again) to his comrades, and during his monologues, Nicolai is sharp.

The whole band brings home the proverbial bacon and deserves much credit.

The crew of Jessica and Stan Latimer, Julie Zinner, Amanda Hyden, Gholson, Melissa Harrison, A.J. Biri, Jessica Brown, Katie Johnson, Ashley Booker, Jennifer Adams and Tiffany McElrath also deserve praise, as does Fisher.

For the second straight year, Jackson High School has faced the daunting task of staging Shakespeare and has again been up to the task.