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.