Theater Reviews

Sep 13, 2004 - The Nevada Shakespeare Company's "Julius Caesar" takes aim at American politics 2004

By Jack Neal

If your only relationship with Caesar is when you order salad, you're in luck. Now your relationship can mature, if not quite as Shakespeare envisioned it, at least as director Cameron Crane has envisioned it.

Inspired partly by the current U.S. Election 2004, the Nevada Shakespeare Company launched its version of William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" Wednesday (9/8/2004) and brings the mamoth show in at a lean, mean one hour and forty-five minutes. No need to brush up your Shakespeare, Crane and company have done it for you. The play's large cast of characters of forty something has been boiled down to a trim 18.

With a couple of add ins to make the somewhat condensed plot make sense, Crane's "Caesar" just gurgles (as in death) along in what seems half its actual running time. Given this year's hotly contested presidential race between Senator Kerry and President Bush, this reworking of Shakespeare's tragedy is quite timely and just a bit frightening.

Crane's take on "Julius Caesar" is couched in post 9/11 terms. According to Crane's program notes: "The story of Julius Caesar was as relevant for Londoners during the age of King James as it is for Americans during Election 2004." That it is, especially for a soundbite society that likes its profundities as short and sweet as Crane makes them with this production. And that's not a criticism of what Crane hath wrought. His production has made the play entirely accessible to new and old fans of the genre without damaging a thing.

The conspiracy lead by Brutus, Metellus and Cassius against the political power and personal magnetism of Caesar, is countered by the strength and shrewd pursuasiveness of Caesar confidant and friend Marc Antony. The production is fast and entirely gripping. The use of the sanctuary of Reno's downtown First United Methodist Church, with its striking gothic appearance, is the perfect setting for this stunning setting of "Julius Caesar." Len Overholser's music underscoring adds immeasurably to the production's atmosphere of impending doom.

As Marc Antony, Josh Jessup stars. He's regal, cunning and entirely believable. His oration at Caesar's funeral is one of the finest moments in community theater I've seen in Reno. The crowd reaction to what Marc Antony is saying is intense, revealing and beautifully directed.

In addition to Jessup, Dale Fast (Caesar), John Hadder (Brutus), Kirk Gardner (Cassius), and Michael Peters (Metellus) lead a strong cast to as triumphant and audience accessible "Julius Caesar" as I've seen.

And now, onto Election 2004!

The Nevada Shakespeare Company's "Julius Caesar" can be seen at the First United Methodist Church, 1st and West Streets, Reno, Nevada, at 7:00 p.m. Sept. 9-11 and 15-18, and 2:00 p.m. Sept. 19, 2004. For information call 775-324-4198.