Desmond's Othello redux.

When Lar Lubovitch choreographed Othello for American Ballet Theatre and San Francisco Ballet in 1997, there was only one dancer he wanted to create the title role on: Desmond Richardson. Oozing expression out of every muscle, the former Ailey dancer not only offered Lubovitch an almost limitless technical facility, but also a mesmerizing theatrical presence worthy of Shakespeare. So in between dancing for William Forsythe and Fosse, Richardson became ABT's first African American principal dancer. Now co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, this grand master Jack-of-all-dances brings his majestic presence back to ABT one decade later. As a principal guest artist, Richardson reprises his performance of Othello opposite Alessandra Ferri's Desdemona for just one performance on May 24. (Rasta Thomas performs the role the night before.) See wwv.abt.org.