Caption: Cassius (Madeleine James) and Antony (Kimberly DiPersia) face off in one of the show's sword fighting exchanges.
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In Kenilworth, it's the Roman Empire, Amazon Style
For the third and final installment of its 2008 traveling "Shakespeare in the Park" series, Hudson Shakespeare Company (HSC) presents Julius Caesar with a twist, an all-female cast.
Set in a post-modern background that mixes current and Romenesque costuming and weaponry, the production takes an innovative approach to the classical story and the English class standard.
"We don't try to have the women imitate men," says show director Jon Ciccarelli. "We play it as women themselves going through these situations. Julius Caesar lends itself easily to be switched genders and the energy is very different with an all-women cast.
The production presents an abridged two-hour run, which follows the story of General Caesar (Vivienne Maya) return to Rome after defeating her opponent, Pompey the Great. Roman celebrate their new "General of the week" but their is an undercurrent brooding through Rome's elite as Brutus (Jennifer Fouche) and Cassius (Madeleine James) fret that Caesar will go further that her predecessor and become a dictator. As they take matters into their own hands, killing Caesar and assuming power, the Republic descends into civil war as the less experienced Octavius (Jessica Geguzis) and the over-drunk Mark Antony (Kimberly DiPersia) take up the opposition.
Written in 1599 and originally published in the First Folio of 1623, Julius Caesar, has been a perennial favorite with theater goers and readers alive. The show presents a textbook study of politics that is still quite relevant today: public sentiment easily sways back and forth with popularity polls and supposed economic incentives; backroom and back alley deals with different factions vying for power; and each candidate putting theri own stamp on what they could do in the ultimate position of power. With the pronouns and original names unchanged, the show presents an interesting interpretation of a woman's perspective on the classic political struggle.
Hudson Shakespeare Company was established in 1992 an is now in its 17th seasob of presenting touring outdoor Shakespeare and modern shows. The show will be presented on Thursday, August 14 at 7:30PM on the David Brearly Middle School Football field located at 401 Monroe Avenue in Kenilworth. Rain location is the Kenilworth Public Library, 546 Boulevard. Bringing a lawn chair or blanket is recommended.
For more show information visit hudsonshakespeare.homestead.com or call (973) 449-7443 or the Kenilworth Public Library at (908) 276-7897.
