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Daily Herald subscribers treated to special visit from 'Othello' villain

Daily Herald readers attending the Gift Theatre's modern take on "Othello" last weekend as part of a special subscriber event in Chicago were treated to a surprise when actor and theater co-founder Michael Patrick Thornton stopped by for an impromptu question-and-answer session.

Daily Herald theater critic Barbara Vitello acted as moderator between Thornton, whom readers may recognize from his appearance in 11 episodes of the ABC drama "Private Practice," and the more than 25 readers who attended the preshow cocktail reception at the Gale Street Inn.

"Someone in the audience pointed out he looks like John Cusack," Vitello said. "Thornton responded 'Maybe John Cusack looks like me.'"

Vitello said it was very generous of Thornton to take time out of his schedule Sunday to speak to the group, especially just two hours before taking the stage as Iago in his final performance of the production's run.

She estimated the theater had fewer than 50 seats in three rows, which helped make for an intimate show.

Vitello said she hopes to do more theater excursions with readers. In the past, the Daily Herald has hosted events at Drury Lane in Oak Brook and at the Fox Valley Repertory in St. Charles.

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