OCU takes on Shakespeare’s ever-timely ‘Julius Caesar’
Oklahoma City University presented William Shakespeare's historical tragedy "Julius Caesar" in an Oct. 25-28 production adapted and directed by D. Lance Marsh featuring a student cast of exceptional actors.
“Julius Caesar” is different in many ways from typical Shakespeare as it lacks the contrived confusion we have come to love in his romances and comedies. The language is pure Shakespeare, of course, but crisp, and the action is straightforward. “Julius Caesar” is one of the most quoted of Shakespeare's plays, as it is so full of excellent "sound bytes" that are relevant in modern situations.
The adaptation is nicely done, enabling the audience to follow the action easily — although the story is historically familiar to most, as it centers on the assassination of Julius Caesar, Rome’s greatest general and leader. Brutus and Cassius plot to dispatch Caesar on his way to the Senate. Caesar is warned by a soothsayer to "beware the Ides of March," while Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife, also warns him that he should stay at home. Nevertheless, Caesar sets out to attend the Senate, but the soothsayer has prophesied well, as has Calpurnia. Brutus and Cassius, along with fellow conspirators, murder Caesar, and he expires gazing into the eyes of the killer he mentored, Brutus. "Et tu, Brute?" he says. "Even you, Brutus?"
The beautiful set design for “Julius Caesar” is by Dustin Bielich, a senior majoring in scene design and production, and his skill is evident. The entire crew does an excellent job with lighting by Rick Reeves, projections by Jason Foreman and sound by Jae Shanks. Working with technical director Cale Coffia and stage manager, Audrey Mantia, the technical aspects are wonderful.
The setting for “Julius Caesar” is modern, taking place in the early 1960s, and the properties by Logan Jacisin and costumes by Alix Phelan reflect the setting accurately.
The title role of Julius Caesar is superbly played by Austin Wyatt, who brings just a touch of Caesar’s arrogance. Brutus is Blayne Childers, and his portrayal is mesmerizing. The role of Marc Antony is wonderfully portrayed by Andrew Tompkins.
As Cassius, the excellent Mallory Scheidel is one of a number of women cast in normally masculine roles, and each of them create natural and realistic characters. Casca is played by Madison Carey, and she is equally exceptional. Decius Brutus is taken by Micah Gilley, and her interpretation is also quite good.
Of course, the men also are admirable. Cinna is well-played by Erik Hamilton, and Trebonius is executed well by Dustin Dale Barlow. Ligarious is nicely done by D’Vonte Stewart, Publius/ Cato by Joey Witten and Flavius by Joel Jenkins.
Calpurnia is Samantha Buzonas, and Portia is Elsa Moen; these actresses both exhibit a feminine dignity and grace in their characters. The soothsayer is quite marvelously done by Natalya Fisher as she strums her guitar with perfectly suitable selections.
Next up for OCU's School of Theatre is "Silent Sky," which is set to run through Sunday in the school's Black Box Theatre, and "Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley," set for Dec. 6-9 in the Burg Theatre on campus. For tickets and information, go to www.okcu.edu/theatre or call the box office at 208-5227.