The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui
The Resistible Rise Of Arturo Ui
By Bertolt Brecht, Translated By George Tabori
Directed By David M. Jenkins
May 15 – June 7, 2020
Thu. – Sat. 8pm, Sun. 4pm
Tickets*: $29.50
Preview Performances: May 13 – 14 | Wed. – Thr. 8pm | Tickets: $18
Shimberg Playhouse, Straz Center for the Performing Arts
“You laugh at him, you fear him, you realize you know him. You certainly can’t resist him” – Time Out New York
“Arturo Ui is a sly, fearsome sideshow, a deceptively humble, hugely exciting piece of work…. It’s Richard III meets Jimmy Cagney by way of the vaudeville circuit … it’s both rollicking and frightening.” – New York Magazine
What It's About
Written while in exile in 1941, Brecht’s Arturo Ui is a satirical allegory that recasts Hitler’s rise as a 1930’s Chicago gangster’s takeover of the Windy City’s green-grocery trade. Terror and bloodshed follow — can anyone stop him? Brecht’s skewering of Adolf Hitler and totalitarianism is given renewed significance in 2020 America and is presented here in an adaptation featuring eight performers — Brecht’s original featured over 35. Previous lauded NY revivals have featured the likes of Christopher Plummer, Al Pacino, and Raul Esparza.
This production was inspired by Producing Artistic Director David M. Jenkins’ recent visit to Brecht’s theatrical home, the Berliner Ensemble, where Arturo Ui is still one of their most popular productions. Jobsite previously produced a large-scale version of Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera in 2017.
- David M. Jenkins – Director
- Matthew Ray – Stage Manager
Cast
- Cornelio Aguilera – Roderigo
- Tatiana Baccari – Desdemona
- Salem Brophy – Lodovico/Soldier
- Giles Davies – Iago
- Chelsea Hooker – Bianca
- Michael C. McGreevy – Duke of Venice/Gratiano
- Joseph Michael-Kenneth – Cassio
- Nancy Mizzell – Senator/Soldier
- Robert Richards Jr. – Othello
- Katrina Stevenson – Emilia
- Greg Thompson – Brabantio/Montano
Crew
- Giles Davies – Text Consultant and Fight Choreographer
- Jeremy Douglass – Composer
- David M. Jenkins – Dramaturg
- Brian Smallheer – Scenic and Lighting Designer
- Katrina Stevenson – Costume Designer
The production of Othello was powerful and insightful as well. Seeing it performed for the first time fleshed out the action in a believable way. The anguish felt by all the characters came through in the nearly pitch-perfect performances by all the actors.
The theatre-in-the-round square works beautifully here, effectively used by the brilliant Iago given to us by the always kinetic, shapeshifting talent of Giles Davies. Addressing his soliloquies to all four sides of the audience in turn pulled us into Iago’s depraved mind – unwillingly yet compelled to watch, even laughing at his jokes and numerous sexual innuendos. The latter offer a key to Iago’s anger that has twisted his spirit into embracing only nihilism and total obliteration of life.
Bravo, you’ve got a hit. – Brian Kelly
We absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED the show. Have encouraged friends and family to go too! The use of the stage and the room with such a large class was impressive and I was in tears at the end – moved and speechless by the performances. Our teenage son (16) really enjoyed it as well. Cheers to a great run with Othello! – Leanne Otero
Thank you again for this wonderful production that continues to speak to all generations. Just to be exposed to the diction of these hundreds of years old dialogue is a treat and to bring it to us with young (and older) actors that bring the passion to these emotions is wonderful. Especially your villain, whom I already admired in earlier productions (Caliban) embodied his role. His diction is beautiful as are his facial expressions. What a great set of actors! So nice to see they are on stage and given opportunity to perform classical theater. The military fatigues brought me back in time (twenty years, but surely also now) to think about the complicated relationships and violence and jealousy while my husband was having to deal with those serving under him and at the time in the 80s the military becoming quite forceful prosecuting marital fallouts.
Emotions of soldiers impacted by lots of extra stress. The actor playing Othello was excellent in his emotions and presentation … the play’s production is as always with your theater, absolutely wonderful. – Susanne Neilsen
We loved Othello! Excellent casting and they didn’t miss a beat the entire show. My 14 year old daughter was initially afraid she wasn’t going to be able to understand what was going on (“I don’t think I like Shakespeare.”) but she loved it and decided she just didn’t like reading Shakespeare. Today we had a 20 minute discussion about Iago and how he really is the worst kind of villain because he’s just so realistic even today. Kudos to everyone on a winner of a show! – Lorinda Gamson
@jobsitetheater is a gift to the Tampa Bay area. Thank you for your excellent offerings, including your yearly goodness from Shakespeare. Blessings and Break Bones on your creative endeavors. – revlisad
I saw Othello last night and loved it!! I’ll definitely be back to see Complete Works! 
Please more Shakespeare! – johnnyjedi7
Great job last night, very well acted, very powerful and moving – fictionalrealitycosplay
Thoroughly enjoyed the talkback on Friday. Very informative regarding reasons to still be telling this story as well the casts thoughts on their characters – monkeysue1278
Othello was the best Shakespeare Jobsite has done since Pericles. Giles was great as always, and really the play should be called Iago … Though I have some issues with Othello going from confident military commander to basket case at the merest whisper from Iago and the immediate histrionics Robert Richards Jr. rose to the occasion for the final scene which was absolutely riveting. – David Hood
I saw it on Thursday… great performance! – Amanda Patanow
Wow! What a show Jobsite Theater. Thanks! – Briget Hart
Exceptional ! Don’t miss it – Brenda Delgado Ordetx
Excellent production tonight. Grab some tickets and see it! – Melissa Grant Alton
Powerful production, kudos to cast and crew. Break Legs for the rest of the run! <3 – Beth Hyde – Beth Hyde-Hood
The show was amazing! Great job – Lisa Roland Faust
Wow! What a show Jobsite Theater. Thanks! – Brigit Hart
“This whole Shakespeare thing” is wonderful and as relevant today as it was in 1603. Love, prejudice, deceit, jealously, rage , revenge and despair… we humans don’t seem to have changed much in 400 years! The actors were marvelous and it’s a treat being so close to the action and emotion. We can’t wait for the next one. – Margaret Nolan Mays
Very intense play. Excellent performances by the whole cast – Dwayne DeLong
A fantastic performance addressing a universal theme. – Linda Good Arkwright
Attending the show yesterday was worth going out in the wind, rain and cold for. Enthralling production ! – Vickie Lynne
Congrats for today’s fine performance. – Hugh Timoney
So intense! Bravo! – Lillian Almodovar
This show was amazing! The whole cast was wonderful, but you can’t make Othello work without a great Iago, and you definitely have that. The actor playing Iago was spot-on. I was so impressed. – Cassie Robertson
I was able to go Friday night and was blown away! Can’t wait for the next production. – Mindy Ecob
I love the energy even the second time around!!! – Jacqueline Nobles Awesome
An incredible production. Do see it. – Michelle Wilder Larson
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