Theater Artists Olympia (or TAO) is doing some of the most forward theater out there, from last year's Poona the Fuckdog, to their interpretation of Shakespeare's classic, Othello, which opens Thursday. Set in 1968 in crime-riddled New York - in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement - TAO's Othello is described as a tragedy that "takes us on a journey where we can confront our greatest hopes and fears." Basically, TAO's Othello sounds destined to brilliantly play off the original, only with a lot more guns.

[Olympia Little Theatre, July 1-18, 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, 2 p.m. matinee July 18, $12, 1925 Miller Ave. NE, Olympia, 360.786.9484]