Fresh and relatable retellings of classic stories and political history are very much in these days thanks to Hamilton, but that doesn't mean it's easy to write a really good hip hop musical about Othello. The Q Brothers have done it, though, and they also shine as performers in the four-man show. 80's and 90's hip hop and rap vibes dominate the impressive score of this energetic 80 minute "remix" of Othello. In this version, our hero is not a solider who goes off to war, but a rapper who goes on his first major tour. Beef with a member of his crew, Iago, becomes the focal point and...well, you know the rest. All four performers are gifted actors, rappers, and showmen and own every second of this tour-de-force show. Postell Pringle especially impresses as Othello himself with skills that you'd expect from a rapper who performs at major arenas. Not only will adults (even ones who usually fall asleep at Shakespeare plays) enjoy this immensely, there isn't a high schooler in America who wouldn't finally get into Shakespeare after seeing Othello: The Remix. The show closes January 15, so grab a pair a tickets now and grab your friend who most reminds you of Radio Raheem and head on over to the Westside Theatre.
Photo: Carol Rosegg