With an MFA in theater from the University of Pittsburgh, Javon Johnson is no stranger to the local stage. He returns in May to play one of the most demanding of Shakespeare's roles, the title character in Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre's "Othello."

PICT announced its casting choices for its new season Monday. Mr. Johnson will be joined by Canadian actor Michael Hanrahan as Iago and Allison McLemore, the title character in PICT's "Jane Eyre" last year, as Desdemona.

"Othello" plays May 20-June 12. PICT artistic director Andrew Paul directs.

The company opens its season April 15 with a collaborative venture with Pittsburgh Opera Theater, "Beautiful Dreamers," a play with music drawn from the life of composer Stephen Foster. It runs through May 1.

The cast includes Joel Ripka ("Crime and Punishment"), Stephanie Riso (PICT founding artistic director) and Opera Theater performer Kevin Brown. PICT's longtime acting mainstay Martin Giles wrote the play and directs.

Mr. Giles returns to the stage when PICT mounts a cycle of Harold Pinter plays called "Hearing Noise in the Silence," June 22-Aug. 22.

Joining him will be Richard McMillan, active in Pittsburgh theater several years ago. Another local stage veteran, Sam Tsoutsouvas, is also aboard. The schedule:

"The Hothouse" (July 22 -- Aug. 22); "No Man's Land" (July 30-Aug. 21); and four one-act plays (Aug. 5-21) -- "The Dumb Waiter," "Betrayal," "The Room" and "The Celebration."

PICT closes its season Dec. 2-18 with "Hobson's Choice" featuring PICT veterans Simon Bradbury, Michael Ball and Deidriu Ring.

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