Caption: Cassius (Madeleine James) and Antony (Kimberly DiPersia) face off in one of the show's sword fighting exchanges in the upcoming HSC performance of Julius Caesar.
Text of Article:
The Bard in Your Backyard
Hudson Shakespeare to present 'Caesar' in
Ellsworth Park
By Roy Addas
"All the world's a stage" and Union City's Ellsworth Park will hold a free performance of the tragic Shakespeare play, Julius Caesar, on Aug 14 at 8:00p.m. on the corner of New York Ave. and 23rd St.
Fans of Shakespearean masterpieces and stunning acting will enjoy a night under the stars for as the Hudson Shakespeare Company (HSC) presents one of the Bard's most recognizable plays.
HSC director Jon Ciccarelli says that there are many things about Caesar that locals can enjoy.
Familiarity...names and titles you recognize from school. Pop culturally, there are characters that live outside the plays," said Ciccarelli. "Also Shakespeare, has become a summer tradition."
Union City residents are in for an evening of misinterpreted motives, backstabbing companions and energetic swordplay, as they travel back to the trouble times of the Roman Empire.
"This has been one of our most well-received plays in Union City<" explained Ciccarelli. Viewers marvel at Caesar for its historical significance and "it's fast paced action and a lot of sword play."
INTERACTIVE THEATER
Union City's venue, Ellsworth Park, offered the director a challenging set to design. "It is interesting from other parks that we [perform in] because it is on different levels, three-tiered like a layered cake." Ciccarelli said, "You have to be very economical with you fight scenes, to operate in a smaller space. Also, the intimate setting is good."
The close-quartered audience becomes interactive as the actors have the opportunity to exit and enter from all sides of the park.
"Its the creme de la creme of theater," Ciccarelli said. "Shakespeare offers the most challenging and most rewarding experiences for an actor"
The Hudson Shakespeare Company has been producing free plays in parks across Hudson County since 1992. This is the acting group's seventeenth season, and within the more than 80 productions, they have covered all of William Shakespeare's most famous works. However, director Jon Ciccarelli is excited for this year's staging of Julius Caesar in August, "lots of action and sword fighting!"
The HSC has always stayed true to the essence of the Bard's outdoor events.
"Being outside, as opposed to indoors where you are confined," Ciccarelli said. "You are more interactive with the audience and you get back to Shakespeare's day."
In sixteenth century England, the hottest entertainment came from the immortal outdoor arena, the Globe Theater, which was home to many of Shakespeare's characters.
A MODERN TWIST
'Caesar', a tale of political power, corruption, friendship and revenge, is most famously known for its famous male characters. Brutus, Cassius, Flavius. Yet under the director's unique vision, Ciccarelli has constructed an all-female cast.
"With a mix of Romanesque and modern costuming, we are trying to bring more references to goddesses, "he said.
This bold statement is in direct contrast to the late Renaissance time period, when women were not allowed to act on stage. Shakespeare had to substitute boys in place of his queens and sisters.
************************************************************************
" Being outside, as opposed to indoors where you are confined, you are more interactive with the audience and you get back to Shakespeare's day."
- Jon Ciccarelli
************************************************************************
The all-female cast brings another level of intrigue to the mysterious play set in the male-dominated ancient Rome.
"There is something that intrigues the viewers about Shakespeare's plays," said Ryan Weatherford, a recent graduate of Emerson High School. "In school my favorite play was Hamlet, but I am looking forward to this production of Julius Caesar because it is not in our curriculum. This is a chance to see something new."
The HSC takes a particular interest in education, being that Shakespeare is a core piece of any high school student's studies.
"Initially, we did Julius Caesar for the schools, in our spring program," said Ciccarelli. "We would like to host more workshops for places in our touring group like 'Shakespeare 101', 'Shakespeare on Camera' and 'Stage Combat.'"
Jon likes coming to Union City for the diverse population.
"It has been interesting when some residents have compared and contrasted Shakespearean plays that hey have seen in other countries," said Ciccarelli.
Shakespeare's universal themes, timeless characters, and everlasting conflicts of inner struggle appeal to everyone throughout the globe.
The company started in Jersey City' Hamilton Park seventeen years ago, and remained in Hudson County parks for many years. However, in the last half decade they have expanded their talented touring base to include other counties in northern New Jersey, Connecticut and Manhattan.
The HSC will present a free performance of Julius Caesar on Aug 14 at 8p.m., at Ellsworth Park, on the corner of New York Ave. and 23rd St.
For more information about upcoming shows, visit hudsonshakespeare.homestead.com.
