There's a monster terrorizing 7th Street NW - and it's of the green-eyed variety.

Jealousy and its dire consequences take center stage in Shakespeare Theatre's sharp, seasoned version of Othello.

Details of the story are familiar to most; thanks to the scheming of the evil ensign Iago, the noble Moor Othello comes to distrust his doting wife, Desdemona. His jealousy hits a crescendo when it eventually drives him to strangle her; the real tragedy comes when he discovers his crime was truly murder, rather than any sort of revenge or sacrifice.

This production is a smooth and classic, if a bit unadventurous, take on the tale. The staging has grandeur and intensity without being overblown or distracting from the central performances. The transitions between scenes are seamless and regal -- the stage becomes a royal hall, a rowdy tavern or a darkly-lit bedroom in mere seconds.

Othello is a play which can easily turn into "The Iago Show;" when you match such a compelling character with a charismatic lead, it's hard not to be drawn into his web. This production is no exception. Patrick Page needs no twirling moustache or forced bravado for his seductive, sinister and slightly off-balance take on the infamous villain whose motivations are never clear. Iago's frank irreverence amuses and intrigues us even as we know we're soon to become irrecoverably horrified at his handiwork (particularly when Iago admires it smugly from the sidelines).

This isn't to say Avery Brooks (yes, that's Captain Sisko we're talking about) doesn't hold his own as the title character. Though his body language can be stiff and his sonorous voice almost seems to drop some lines, Brooks is an elegant, clearly-smitten Othello whose transition into fierce jealousy seems authentic (at least as much as the play itself allows). Shakespeare Theatre's production plays up the romance, playful banter and affection between Othello and Colleen Delany's spirited, coquettish Desdemona, making the pair's fate that much more tragic.

The cast is rounded out by a bumbling Erik Steele as Roderigo and a handsome and endearingly fallible Gregory Woodell as Cassio. Lise Bruneau is a sturdy Emlia, while Andrea Cirie makes a sultry Bianca.

Othello runs through Oct. 30 at the Shakespeare Theatre, 450 7th Street NW. Tickets are $14.25-$71.25. Additional information can be found on the theater's website.