American Ballet Theater Revives Dated 'Othello' Ballet

Lar Lubovitch's 1997 production struggles to find relevance in the modern era.

Mar. 9, 2026 at 2:49pm

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American Ballet Theater's revival of Lar Lubovitch's 1997 full-length ballet 'Othello' has failed to impress critics. The production, which focuses heavily on a handkerchief as a narrative device, is described as monotonous, with choreography that switches between bright and somber tones to match Elliot Goldenthal's score. The ballet emphasizes drama over dance, and the most expressive role goes to the handkerchief itself rather than the dancers. Overall, the production feels outdated and struggles to connect with modern audiences.

Why it matters

This revival of 'Othello' raises questions about American Ballet Theater's programming choices, as the company's Antony Tudor ballets are said to be 'wasting away' while resources are dedicated to this dated production. The ballet's focus on drama over dance and its reliance on a single prop as a narrative device suggest a lack of innovation and a failure to evolve with the times.

The details

Lar Lubovitch's 'Othello: A Dance in Three Acts' (1997) centers around a handkerchief that becomes the driving force of the plot. The handkerchief is presented in an exaggerated manner, often fluttering through the air or being pulled out with deliberation to emphasize its importance. This overreliance on the prop becomes monotonous, and the choreography, which is meant to reflect the brightness or somberness of the score, often falls into an 'either/or' situation. The ballet focuses more on drama than dance, with the most expressive role going to the handkerchief itself. The production also features problematic choreographic choices, such as a move where the male dancer lifts the female dancer by the sides of her neck, which is described as 'cheap and unnecessary'.

  • American Ballet Theater opened a short spring season at Lincoln Center with 'Othello' on March 9, 2026.
  • The ballet was last shown at Ballet Theater in 2015.

The players

Lar Lubovitch

The choreographer of the 1997 production of 'Othello' that American Ballet Theater has revived.

Elliot Goldenthal

The composer who created the cinematic score for Lubovitch's 'Othello' ballet.

Calvin Royal III

The dancer who performed the role of Othello in the first cast on the opening night of the revival.

Fangqi Li

The dancer who performed the role of Desdemona in the first cast on the opening night of the revival.

James Whiteside

The dancer who performed the role of Iago in the first cast on the opening night of the revival.

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What they’re saying

“Why, for instance, are the company's Antony Tudor ballets wasting away?”

— Gia Kourlas, Dance Critic

“If this were a fresh way to make you understand male rage, fine; I don't mind feeling things outside my comfort zone. But it was more of a flagrant foul: cheap and unnecessary.”

— Gia Kourlas, Dance Critic

The takeaway

This revival of Lar Lubovitch's 'Othello' ballet highlights American Ballet Theater's programming choices, which seem to prioritize dated productions over more innovative works. The production's over-reliance on a single prop as a narrative device and its emphasis on drama over dance suggest a lack of evolution in the company's artistic vision, leaving critics frustrated and questioning the decision to revive this particular work.