For those of you who missed OTHELLO it's a shame because it was one of our most positively received shows ever, especially for a Shakespearean tragedy. This is what the ARIZONA REPUBLIC wrote:"this production is excellent. The Victorian-era military costumes, accompanied by martial drumming on scene transitions, are perfect to highlight the hierarchical social values that motivate the characters ("My reputation!"). The acting from the ensemble is strong, the scenery is minimal but effective, and the lighting and sound design unobtrusively set the mood." And this about Richard Baird's performance: "Baird is so good that this Othello is truly a must-see. It is the finest turn yet from Baird at Southwest Shakespeare and one of the most entertaining Shakespearean roles I have seen on the stage."

We are just now beginning rehearsals for the savagely brilliant French comedy by Moliere. "TARTUFFE -- or, THE IMPOSTER". Written in rhyming verse in a translation by Richard Wilbur, this scathing indictment of those who would de-fraud the innocent by appealing to their religious dedication, was a scandal when Moliere wrote it in 1664. The Parisian parliament even shut the play down due to the public outcry. Moliere had to go into hiding. It was mistakenly seen as an attack on religion, but Moliere took great pains throughout his career to avoid that conclusion focusing instead on the nature of hypocrisy and fraud, which was his target in plays throughout his lifetime. A man of no less influence than King Louis XIV had to come to Moliere's rescue. He saw the genius behind it, and so do we. Come and see what all the fuss was about! Richard Baird plays the title role in a cast that includes some of Southwest Shakespeare Company's favorite actors.

It opens on March 5 and IS SELLING OUT FAST! Hurry as seating is very limited for this run!